The legislation would require the USPS to create a flat rate to ship packages to military locations overseas.
It was February when the Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey military support group publicly announced it had a problem on its hands.
The United States Postal Service had decided to consolidate the five postal centers across the nation that process military mail into one centralized location in Chicago.
By eliminating the center in New York that was closest to New Jersey, shipping costs effectively doubled for the nonprofit OYRSJ, forcing the Marlton-based group to reconsider the number of care packages it could send to men and women serving in the military in the Middle East.
Before the consolidation took effect, OYRSJ spent $55,000 in 2017 alone to ship almost 1,900 packages overseas that weighed more than 62,000 pounds.
OYRSJ Chair Dave Silver said shipping costs then simply doubled as of Jan. 22.
“Operation Yellow Ribbon went from spending $27 to $30 a care package to $54 to $60 overnight with the flip of a logistical change by the USPS in where care packages clear customs,” Silver said.
However, legislation recently introduced by Congressman Tom MacArthur seeks to reverse rate changes by requiring the USPS to create a flat rate to ship packages to military locations overseas.
MacArthur said the legislation comes as nonprofits play a “major role” in helping families and friends stay connected with their loved ones who are deployed overseas in the military.
“Care packages provide much-needed basic comforts and a morale boost to our service members,” MacArthur said. “I see letters all the time from men and women in the armed services thanking us for the packages and the continued support. We owe it to our troops to reverse this unexpected decision and continue to allow nonprofits to provide these services.”
In response to the legislation, Silver said he and OYRSJ were grateful to see action that could ensure military support groups and nonprofits, as well the loved ones of service members, were no longer impacted by the USPS decision.
“We are grateful for the help of Congressman MacArthur and others on both sides of the aisle for their attention, time and help,” Silver said. “We need help and need this resolved, as every day it means less and less morale-boosting care packages are sent to our brave women and men serving our great country and deployed in harm’s way.”
Silver said he and OYRSJ would also continue to advocate not just on behalf of OYRSJ, but for other nonprofits such as the USO as well.
Those looking to learn more about OYRSJ can visit www.operationyellowribbonsouthjersey.org or follow the group on Facebook www.facebook.com/OYRSJ/.
Locals can also support OYRSJ on July 30 at 6 p.m. at Brooks Field in Medford Lakes (intersection of Powhatan Trail and Iroquois Trail) for a charity softball game between the employees of Ott’s Medford and PJ Whelihan’s Medford Lakes.
Silver said funds from the sale of hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks, water and more will go toward helping OYRSJ with shipping costs for care packages.
The event will also feature a DJ, other fundraiser sales, and the chance to win gift cards or other prizes.
