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Community Corner

Family & Co. Jewelers of Marlton Hosts 2-Day BBQ for Operation Yellow Ribbon

Put Your Soldier on the List for Care Packages, Welcome Home Parade

Family & Co. Jewelers, a longtime supporter of Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey, hosted a free barbecue fundraiser July 3rd and 5th.  The event raised $315 in cash donations, along with food donations such as Jim’s Jarhead Jerky and Girl Scout Cookies, earmarked for U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan.

So far in 2014, OYRSJ, based in Marlton, has shipped 20,894 pounds of goods in care packages to more than 260 young men and women, all of whom have a connection to South Jersey.  Over 40 women on the list received packages specifically geared toward women.

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“These care packages are not intended for one person; they are designed to be shared,” said Angelo Breaux, owner of Family & Co. Jewelers and the son of a retired U.S. Marine.  “Our heroes regularly send mail and e-mail thanking everyone for their kindness and mentioning how much their entire unit appreciated the kindness of the community.  And the need is ongoing, as we still have many men and women in Afghanistan, so we are accepting contributions year-round.”

Family & Co. Jewelers is a permanent collection site for Operation Yellow Ribbon.  Because OYR is an all-volunteer organization, 100 percent of all donations are used to purchase goods and cover shipping costs.  In addition to sending comforts to service members overseas, OYR organizes “rock star” welcome home ceremonies.  Teaming up with Warriors Watch Riders and other patriotic motorcycle groups, OYR creates community-wide parties for the returning hero, frequently involving local police and fire departments, dignitaries, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, local cheerleading squads and mummers brigades.

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Breaux said that youth in the community are getting actively involved in OYR.

“There have been Eagle Scout projects, and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs who have requested donations to OYR in lieu of gifts,” he said.  “We as a country have been in Afghanistan as long as these young people can remember; they grew up with this war.”

“Supporting our troops does not mean that we support war; it means that we appreciate those who do what they do so that we can enjoy our barbecues, our vacations and everything that we take for granted every day,” he added.

Family & Co. Jewelers accepts donations of items and cash every day that it is open.  The items are shipped within a week, and sometimes the next day.  For a list of items and for other drop off locations, visit http://www.operationyellowribbonsouthjersey.org/.

Anyone with a friend or relative who is deployed or about to be deployed to Afghanistan is encouraged to e-mail angelo@familyjewelers.com with their APO and return date so the service member can be added to the list for care packages and a welcome home celebration.

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