Monroe auto dealer joins effort to send care packages to troops

Monroe - Rallye Auto Plaza in Monroe and other Jeep dealers nationwide have teamed up with Operation Gratitude to collect holiday care packages for soldiers overseas. Operation Gratitude is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 that sends care packages and letters that are individually named to U.S. troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Korea and on military ships around the world. Since it’s inception, the organization has delivered more than 71,000 pack ages to American troops. “We want to make sure we do our part to brighten the spirits of troops from Monroe or New York that may be stationed overseas during the holiday season,” said Marc Treiber, the dealership’s owner. Volunteers will begin assembling and shipping the Holiday Drive care packages during the Veteran’s weekend, Nov. 10-13, and continue during the Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25-27. Area residents interested in donating items ranging from packs of gum and tuna salad kits to CDs and DVDs can drop them off at Rallye Auto Plaza on Route 17M in Monroe. A complete list of items can be found at the organization’s Web site, www.operationgratitude.com. “We hope to reach our goal of sending more than 30,000 packages this holiday season,” the founder of Operation Gratitude Carolyn Blashek said. “Through our expanded partnership, the Jeep brand and its dealers have made it possible and easy for every American across the country to participate in Operation Gratitude’s effort to express thanks and appreciation to the troops.”