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News Release
Cedar Cliff Senior Partners with Veterans Resource Central to Launch Operation Brighter Day—an Eagle Scout Project to Benefit the 101st Airborne in Iraq and Fellow Cedar Cliff Graduate Shane Rapsey
CAMP HILL, October 11, 2005 -- Cedar Cliff senior Aaron J. Gallaher is launching Operation Brighter Day with the help of Veterans Resource Central on Saturday, October 22—National Make a Difference Day—to benefit Cedar Cliff graduate PFC Shane Rapsey and his 101st Airborne Infantry Regiment in Iraq.
Cedar Cliff senior Aaron J. Gallaher (left), and 2004 Cedar Cliff graduate, PFC Shane Rapsey (right), say goodbye as Shane prepares for deployment
“As Shane prepared for deployment to Iraq, he shared some specific needs that our soldiers have. I decided then that I could use my Eagle Scout project to make a difference for Shane and his entire company; and I’m asking the community to help me show our support in a tangible way,” says Aaron, a scout with Troop 54 at Grace Lutheran Church, in Camp Hill.
Troop 54 will be distributing door hangers to 1,200 homes in the Cedar Cliff area on October 16. Each door hanger explains Operation Brighter Day and details specific items that the soldiers need: AT&T Global prepaid phone cards, children’s handmade pictures, personal cards and letters, pens, markers, stationery, AA batteries, paperback books, magazines, Bibles, devotionals, Pringles, canned nuts, gum, hard candy, Crystal Light, athletic socks, ball hats, baby wipes, and Beanie Babies to give to Iraqi children.
On October 22, Aaron and the Scouts will return to the canvassed homes to pick up any items that people can donate. Contributors are asked to place the items in a bag and place it outside their front door. Scouts will pick up donations rain or shine. The goal for Operation Brighter Day is to collect and assemble enough items to fill 12” x 12” x 6” boxes for each of the 150 soldiers in Shane’s company.
Veterans Resource Central is a new Harrisburg-based, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to provide career counseling and job placement assistance to returning veterans, as well information, education, and assistance to military families dealing with life issues at home.
“When I met some of the veterans who are spearheading this resource in our state—Mr. John Carrigan, Col. Frank Piacine, and Mr. Bill DeVore—I knew they would be a perfect fit for my project. They have been deployed, and they know exactly how the soldiers feel, and how we can best help them,” says Aaron.
Operation Brighter Day is Veterans Resource Central’s official launch in central Pennsylvania. “I hope a lot of people join Aaron in sending our troops a powerful message of support,” says John Carrigan, VRC president and Vietnam Veteran.
“It feels great just to know that a teenager can make a significant difference and meet a need by asking the right businesses, organizations, and people to help,” says Aaron. “Many businesses, like Franklin’s Printing in Mechanicsburg who donated the door hanger, are very willing to help—you just have to ask.”
For information on how you can donate to Operation Brighter Day today or arrange for a private donation pickup, contact Aaron Gallaher at 737-0984, and learn more about helping our returning veterans by visiting www.veteransresourcecentral.org.
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Contact: Anne Deeter Gallaher at 737-8382, agallaher@adgmarketing.com