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“We pack what people would send to a college kid -- socks, t-shirts," said Dan "Bortie" Greco, the president of Gifts for GIs. "Instead of an Army base, we ship it specifically to [troops] from the community.”
Last year, the organization shipped a full trailer of supplies, toiletries and gifts to service men and women from the area.
This year, three Ridgefield Park heroes stationed in Afghanistan will be the recipients.
Greco got the idea after hearing about a depressed Bogota Marine who needed help. He became the first recipient.
“All of the school kids write letters, and we ship those, too," he said. "We've also had large donations from Bigelow Tea in Connecticut."
The group will conduct a 50/50 raffle to help pay the thousands in shipping costs. Tickets are $5 each.
This year, volunteers want to decorate the boxes before they are sent off. Students from the Ridgefield Park Honor Society will help fill them do that.
Event volunteers and those looking to donate will meet at the Westside on Paulison Avenue on Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
For a complete suggested donations list, go to: www.giftsforgis.com
“We want to let them know that they are not forgotten,” Greco said.
MORE INFO: (201) 463-5907 or bortie01@aol.com
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