For several years, the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club has raised money to buy and fill backpacks with necessities for the more than 6,500 homeless veterans in New Jersey through Operation Chillout.

Each fall members of the FSP Rotary seek donations to purchase the backpacks and the items to fill them. The backpacks contain thermal underwear, hoodies, gloves, hats, scarves and some basic toiletries. Many of the hats and scarves are knitted by local high school students who want to give back. The cost of the backpacks and materials to fill them runs around $50 per backpack. This year the FSP Rotary has pledged to fill and deliver 24 backpacks.

Once backpacks are filled, they are given to Operation Chillout, a Long Valley-based charity that distributes backpacks to the veterans all across New Jersey and Northeast Pennsylvania. The organization began in December 2000 by Vietnam veteran Deacon Ray, who learned about a homeless vet who was living under a bridge. Ray took the man to breakfast. Ray later told friends about the meeting at a holiday party, and they all left the party, went to Target and bought clothes and supplies for the vet. The idea then grew to helping homeless vets throughout the state.

To donate by the Nov. 17 deadline, mail or drop off a check payable to the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club to:

Wayne Zuhl
c/o Samsel & Associates Real Estate Services
68 Washington Street
Clark, NJ 07066

Please consider a donation, any amount is helpful. It’s an opportunity to give a little something back to those who gave of themselves for others

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