Emergency funding needed ASAP to send packages to our troops #OperationNorthState

 Fifth Anniversary of Operation North State

Many North Carolina deployed troops serving our country will get a welcomed taste of home for Christmas. But, your help is immediately needed.

Since Oct. 2010, Operation North State (ONS) founder and chairman, Terry Snyder, has worked to get N.C. products to members of our Armed Forces who are deployed worldwide. Last year ONS mailed 500 boxes to our servicemen and women. 

There will be 26 North Carolina products included in 1,500 boxes being sent to our Armed Forces through Operation North State this year for Christmas.

Operation North State (ONS)
ONS utilizes an all-volunteer North Carolina force of people, places, products and pride, to provide military services programs to show support and appreciation to the those serving in all branches of the Armed Forces. It also provides support programs for the veterans-in-need that call N.C. home. Snyder works with Charlie Smith, of Raleigh, who volunteers as ONS's Chief Military Advisor.

ONS sponsors several "awareness" programs. It's premier projects include:

• NCCARES Christmas Box Project
• #1 NC-themed Christmas care package project
• Five Top Shelf Fishin' Festivals
• Peer Fishin' Festival

The "festivals" are hosted for, and at the request of N.C.'s Wounded Warriors, Disabled Veterans and their respective caregivers.

"We still need to raise $4,000 for shipping," said Snyder. "We have already raised $19,000 of the $23,000 total shipping expense."

NCCARES CHRISTMAS BOXES

Troops with their NCCARES Christmas Box.

This year ONS has collected enough N.C. products to fill 1,500 NCCARES Christmas Boxes. They can accept a few more recipient names. If you know of someone who needs to know NCCARES, please share their name with ONS, but be quick, the deadline is Dec. 8.


It takes a lot of man hours and volunteers to pack 1,500 boxes. If you can volunteer, please get in touch with Snyder about the Packing Party. I've listed contact information below.

After the boxes are packed, they have to be mailed. That costs money. Lots and lots of money. Snyder said they have raised a lot of the funds, but they're still short.

"We still need to raise $4,000 for shipping," said Snyder. "We have already raised $19,000 of the $23,000 total shipping expense."

A gift box has a retail value of $142, including $12.50 for shipping. Through the generous donations of items and special pricing, ONS has lowered the cost per box to $35 including shipping. 

No donation is too small. Please, think of the troops who have been away from home for who knows how long. They have missed many holidays, and they surely miss many of the things they will find in the care packages. 

If you need proof of what it means to the men and women of these presents, you can read some reviews here. You can also see it on the faces of the recipients.

There are other things ONS could use help with, like transportation. 

"We lack a vehicle that can transport all 1,500 of some items," said Snyder.  "A van would be ideal." 

If you know of a way to donate a van to ONS, I'm sure it would be the best Christmas present he gets this year.

Operation North State T-shirt signed by NASCAR driver Richard Petty. He not only signed the shirts for the boxes, but he volunteers to pack them, too. Find out how to purchase a shirt for yourself or someone on your list for Christmas.

 2014 ONS Active Projects:

• NCCARES Christmas Gift Box Project (1500 boxes)
• Monthly SHARE Care Packages to deployed troops
• Monthly deliveries of comfort items to veterans living in the state's four Veterans Nursing Homes and to several veterans rehabilitation facilities in the state.
• Top Shelf Fishin' Festival (annually / late-April)
• Walgreens' Care Packages (monthly)
• Operation North State Annual Toiletries Drive benefiting NC's deployed troops (October)
• "Flying Old Glory Proudly" Project
• Will remain an “All Volunteer” organization from the top down.
• Receiving significant product and services donations from Piedmont Natural Gas, American Legion - Dept of North Carolina, Hanesbrands Inc, Fairway Outdoor Advertising, Clear Channel Radio – Charlotte, Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, Patriot Charities, numerous motorcycle groups, etc.
• Sixteen billboards have been donated by Fairway Outdoor Advertising. Piedmont Natural Gas assisted with the artwork and installation costs associated with half of the billboards.
• Named the American Legion – Dept of North Carolina “Commander’s Project” for 2012 AND 2013
• Avg 60,000 items donated by Walgreens’ per year from their customers in Greater-Asheville and Greater-Raleigh.
• Victory Junction, Clear Channel Radio - Charlotte, Our State Magazine and Piedmont Natural Gas hosted ONS NCCARES Christmas Box packing parties in 2013.
• Once again, Richard Petty’s message “Military Pride!! Richard Petty #43” is on the back of this year’s T-shirt to our NC deployed troops.

Donations
Online at www.operationnorthstate.com 
Mail: Operation North State, 151 Windemere Ct., Winston-Salem, NC 27127. 

Phone (336) 764-5967, for more information.
Email mailbox@operationnorthstate.com
Website www.operationnorthstate.com
Facebook

Thanks to all of the volunteers and contributors who are working so hard to make Christmas a little merrier for our troops. You will be rewarded tenfold. God Bless you all.