The skies over Hillsborough’s Central Jersey Regional Airport will be filled with a rare showing of military and vintage fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters on Saturday, Oct. 8, as part of a day-long event to help the Hillsborough Rotary Club raise funds for various charities and foundations dedicated to assisting active U.S. military and veterans.
From 1 to 5 p.m., pilots from dozens of airports throughout the state have been invited to participate with their planes at this event; admission is free.
“We’re very excited that the military has agreed to stage a fly-by of important military aircraft, including a C130 Transport, a C17 and Apache helicopters,” said Hillsborough Rotary Club member Jodi DiPane-Saleem, who heads the Rotary committee organizing the event, in a news release. “We also have plans for several interactive static displays, which children can explore, including a military helicopter.”
Veterans and active military will have an opportunity to be celebrated by the public while enjoying a day filled with fun events and information. The general public — young and old — is also invited to enjoy the day’s events, which will include food vendors, live music, military equipment, a static airplane display, face painting, fire engines and other activities for children. A key fundraiser and favorite from last year’s event — plane rides by the flight school, TriState Aviation — will return.
Proceeds from the event will be used to fund New Jersey organizations that work to benefit former and active members of the US military. Donations of food, clothing and toiletries for the military and veterans will be collected at the event. Participating organizations include Operation Shoebox New Jersey and Operation ChillOut. Outreach and information for members of the military and veterans, as well as their families, will be provided by several organizations, including the Veterans Administration (VA) and Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey. Veterans who need assistance with obtaining benefits or help from the VA may speak with these representatives to learn about the resources they provide.
Operation ShoeBox, Operation ChillOut and Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey will host displays at the event where donated items can be dropped off. Operation Shoebox New Jersey will have a display of greeting cards for children to color. The greetings will be included in the care packages shipped overseas. Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey will have representatives on hand to assist vets with any personal and/or financial difficulties they are having.
The rain date for Military and Veterans Appreciation Day is Sunday, Oct. 9. Entrance to the airport is at 1034 Millstone River Road.
Veterans Appreciation Day is sponsored by several Rotary clubs fromRotary District 7510; which comprises 39 Rotary Clubs with a total of more than 1,000 members from Central New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Participating in this event are the following clubs: Branchburg, Bound Brook – Bridgewater, Dunellen-Greenbrook, Hillsborough, Lambertville – New Hope, Montgomery – Rocky Hill, Piscataway, Plainsboro – North and South Brunswick, Somerville and Bridgewater.
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, according to the news release. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
The Hillsborough NJ Rotary Club currently has more than 40 active members from Hillsborough and surrounding communities. Members include business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The Hillsborough Rotary serves the Hillsborough community. All funds raised at the Rotary Fair and other Rotary events throughout the year are donated back to community projects. The Hillsborough Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 6 pm at Pheasants Landing Restaurant at 311 Amwell Road in Hillsborough.