Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • August 11, 2010 Gold/Blue Star families (continued from page 11) who stood in front of mothers and veterans from the area. “It’s not something we want to do very often. You have Ramsey and Mahwah behind you. You are not alone.” Russo thanked the mothers on behalf of himself and Senators O’Toole and Rumana. He said, “You don’t appreciate all the things that parents do until you become a parent.” He continued, “There would be no United States of America and no freedom if it wasn’t for these folks.” Mahwah VFW Post 7124 Commander Hank Leonard then presented a check for $1,000 from the VFW Post 7124 to Theresa Wendrychowicz, who accepted it on behalf of the Mahwah Marine Moms and the North Jersey Military Moms. Eileen Mattarazo, a representative of the North Jersey Military Moms, presented one of the Blue Star families with a flag flown over a military base in Afghanistan. The flag will be rotated among the Blue Star families. She also mentioned the Mahwah Marine Moms recently received a plaque honoring her group from a platoon serving in Afghanistan. The Mahwah Marine Moms organized in early 2006 as a simple gathering of new Marine mothers from Mahwah coming together to support their children and each other, according to Wendrychowicz, who organized the group with Maryanne Certosimo. “It has evolved into a determined group of military moms, dads, friends, and relatives from northern New Jersey with sons and daughters at very different stages of their military enlistment who mobilize entire communities to support this nation’s sons and daughters who have answered the call to serve our country,” Wendrychowicz said. “People tend to thank us and sing our praises for the service we render. What they don’t realize is that we are just the facilitators, and they are the ones making a difference. None of what the Mahwah Marine Moms and North Jersey Military Moms and Families have done would be possible without the overwhelming and ongoing support our small group has received from the communities of Mahwah and across Bergen County and beyond.” The group sends “Support Our Troops Care Packages” to the troops overseas using donations from schools, churches, veterans’ groups, businesses, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, community groups, and countless individuals. VFW Post 682 Quartermaster Robert Brown, Post 682 Commander Anthony Bailey, Gold Star Mother Serena Jankiewicz, NJ VFW Department Commander William F. Thomson, and VFW District Two Commander John J. Kelly. (Photo by Stanley Kober, D-2 Chief of Staff) NEED MULCH? Hardwood • Hemlock Cedar • Oak Colored: Black, Brown, Red Top Soil • Compost Decorative Stone Pruning • Yard Clean Up Small Plantings Installation • Free Estimates • Wholesale and Retail Since the care package project began in September 2006, parcels have been sent to over 150 servicemen and women, some of whom are serving two deployments, and their units serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 3,400 individual personal care bags have been sent at a cost of over $18,000, and 1,000 boxes of all sizes and weights filled with pillows, batteries, books, cards, magazines, socks, blankets, T-shirts, hand/ foot warmers, and other items have been shipped. In addition, donated golf clubs, tees, and golf balls, snacks, travel-size pillows made by students from the Needlecraft School in Midland Park, thousands of cards and letters addressed to the troops from local school children, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and senior citizens were tucked inside care packages. Over 6,000 individual boxes of Girl Scout cookies have also been sent to the troops. “This past summer, we put out a call for freezer pops to help offset the excruciating effects of the desert heat index, and we received and shipped over 6,000 freezer pops,” Wendrychowicz said. “Since that first project in 2006, every item shipped has been donated and all shipping costs have been offset with monetary donations. “The Mahwah Marine Moms and North Jersey Military Moms and their families do what we do with the hope of making life a little bit easier for the brave men and women putting their lives on the line in this fight against terrorism. Our mission is simple: to support those who serve our country.” The troops have responded to the efforts of the groups with e-mails and letters expressing their gratitude. One read, “I just wanted to thank you group of folks for providing my Marines and sailors with some much needed and wanted items. I think knowing it comes from a group of moms helps us to comfort our hearts and souls. We Marines love our mommas.” Another read, “I would like to thank you for the packages sent to our chaplain. It had a lot of female stuff in it and it was really nice. People forget that females need different stuff than males do.” RVH MULCH SUPPLY • WYCKOFF, NJ 201-304-5055 OCEANFRONT HOUSE with Private Beach Access FOR RENT 7-28-10 Pat/Janine RHVMulchColor3x3(7-28-10) 3 x 3” rev1 Waterfront house on Fripp Island, SC (near historic Beaufort and Parris Island). Ranch style with extended large deck overlooking the ocean and own beach access, screened porch, 4 BR, 2½ baths, full kitchen, great room with fireplace. Satellite TV, internet, wash/dryer and gas grill. Sleeps 8-10. In gated community featuring 2 championship golf courses, several swimming pools, tennis, marina and more. $2900./ week. Two amenity cards included; add’l cards may be purchased. Golf cart avail. at add’l fee. Call 843-597-2492 or check website: www.frippocean.com for information. [1]