ARMS continues to support American troops overseas
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

America's military personnel are never far from the thoughts of the people who support the American Recreational Military Services (ARMS).

Through its supporters' tenacious efforts, ARMS has shipped more than 125,000 pounds of toiletries and personal items to United States servicemen and servicewomen who are serving overseas.

The nonprofit organization is staffed with 25 members assisted by 300 volunteers throughout the tristate region who uphold the notion of supporting American soldiers regardless of their own political views about military actions.

Director Ronnie Micciulla, of Red Bank, got involved in the initiative in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

Micciulla said that in the days following Sept. 11 she ran a rescue center at Homeport Service Station in Staten Island, N.Y., that stationed firemen, Secret Service and FBI agents, and the National Guard for 103 days.

"I saw firsthand what terrorism can do and I believe we need to take care of our warriors and their families. If our government cannot do it, then we have to do it for them," Micciulla said.

According to Micciulla, ARMS is primarily funded by the people who volunteer and make donations. She said the organization's efforts are supplemented by grants from Richmond County Savings Bank in Staten Island and Lockheed Martin Services Group in Cherry Hill.

"Every dime that comes in goes directly to the soldiers and their families," she said, noting that the organization ships between 400 and 600 boxes a week.

Their motivation stems primarily from their motto, "We do it right because we want to, not because we have to."

"We do it from the bottom of our hearts. We're Americans and we're proud of it," Micciulla said.

In addition to shipping boxes of personal items off to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, ARMS distributed 280 Thanksgiving dinner baskets; collected 18,250 presents for the children of mobilized soldiers; distributed 8,000 prepaid calling cards; served 98,000 meals to troops; provided more than $40,000 in direct financial aid to families; served meals and snacks to more than 42,000 family members; raised $30,000 to send 42 soldiers home for the holidays before deployment; and participated in more than 40 homecomings and freedom salutes between 2005 and 2007.

Micciulla said that on May 12, ARMS will ship more bulletproof vests to soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. This will mark the second time the organization has shipped protective gear to the troops.

The American Recreational Military Services organization meets every Tuesday at the National Guard Armory, 1200 Whitesville Road, Toms River. The organization's Internet Web site www.supportarms.org provides information for all those who want to participate.