December 5, 2022
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)-The Mercer County Military Action Council (MCMAC) is donating $2,500 to Send a Hero Home for the Holidays, a program that pays for the travel expenses of junior service members who could not otherwise afford to visit their families during their holiday leave.
MCMAC partnered with the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton during its annual Flags for Heroes campaign to raise money for this worthy cause. The campaign allows contributors to sponsor or purchase a flag in honor of veterans or active duty service members, as well as local first responders, hospital workers, teachers and whomever they consider a “hero” in their life. Nearly 300 flags were flown on the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Hamilton Campus and dedicated during a pre-Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 5.
“We are thrilled to be able to send junior service members home for the holidays. This is our way of saying ‘thank you for your service,’ ” Regina Arcuri, chairwoman of MCMAC, said, adding that the whole family sacrifices when a member enters the military. “We are giving these families a chance to spend time with their loved one and reassure them that their sacrifice is greatly appreciated.”
The Rotary Club presented a ceremonial check to MCMAC’s leadership during the club’s Dec. 2 meeting at PJ’s Pancake House in Robbinsville.
William “Bill” Cleave, vice chairman of MCMAC, said this is the second year that his organization and the Rotary Club teamed up to support the Send a Hero Home for the Holidays program.
“Both organizations share a dedication to those in the military, and we are happy that some active duty military will be able to spend the holidays with loved ones because of this contribution,” Cleave said.
MCMAC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the service members and the mission of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, as well as active-duty personnel, reservists, guardsmen, veterans and their respective families living in local towns.
For more information about the Mercer County Military Action Council or to become a member, visit www.mcmilitaryactioncouncil.org
Pictured left to right: Kalpana Patel, Rotary president; Greg Kruse, retired USAF JAG and trustee of Knights of Columbus Council 17430; Alan Gilmore of Pennington, MCMAC secretary; Regina Arcuri of Robbinsville, MCMAC chairwoman; and Bill Cleave of Pennington, MCMAC vice chairman.