6th Annual Operation Local Soldier | Beyond the Nest (Rochester)

6th Annual Operation Local Soldier

Address: 
Old Hojack Lane Merton Williams Middle School
Hilton , NY , 14468 43° 17' 30.3144" N, 77° 48' 1.548" W
Contact name: 
Cristie Vileria
Business/organization type: 
Seasons / holidays: 
Ages for which our activities are most appropriate: 
A group of community members formed to honor our fellow citizens that serve in the armed forces and their families.

This coming Friday, March 25th the 6th Annual Operation Local Soldier event will take place at Merton Williams Middle School located on Old Hojack Lane in Hilton, NY.

Operation Local Soldier is an event designed to honor our area service men and women currently serving, or veterans of past wars in all branches of the armed forces, while also spending the evening with fun filled activities that the whole family can participate in. Doors open at 5:30, and the opening ceremony will begin promptly at 6:00pm. Between 6:30 and 9:00 children will rotate through different stations, including the swimming pool with pool toys, a belay rock wall and a letter, card and craft making station. Letters and cards of support will be shipped to the units of local service members that are currently in theatre in Iraq and Afghanistan. The craft that the children make will be shipped to school children at an elementary school in Iraq. As it turns out, middle eastern children are especially fond of Frisbee. We provide each child attendee with a 4" plain white Frisbee. The children then decorate the Frisbee with paint and glitter. Parents are invited to participate in all activities, but are asked to reserve the Frisbee craft for children only.

A slide show will be running continuously throughout the evening with pictures and short biographies of area service men and women that are currently in service overseas.

There is a suggested $1.00 donation at the door together with a small school supply, however, this is not mandatory for admittance and participation. The collected school supplies, together with the decorated Frisbees are shipped to the elementary school in Iraq. The money collected at the door is used to pay for shipping costs. Finally, pizza and refreshments will be available for a minimal fee ($1.00 for 2 slices and a drink).

Special guests this year include a number of Gold Star Mothers and their families, Maj. Dennis Bates, an Afghanistan war veteran and bronze star recipient, Maggie Brooks and Joe Robach, among others.

This is a wonderful and meaningful evening to honor our hometown heroes, while relaxing and having fun together as a community.