November is the month filled with many important dates. Among the highlights is Veterans Day, which falls on November 11th. In 1938, Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, became recognized as a national holiday. Every year, we honor the holiday by celebrating the men and women who have served our nation. Various organizations have been founded over the years to provide all kinds of care to both veterans and active-duty members. The Jersey Shore Girl has compiled a list of a few of these organizations and multiple ways locals can donate. Read on for a list of six organizations that service veterans and active-duty members nationwide.
America’s Vetdogs | 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, New York
America’s Vetdogs is an organization that grants service dogs to veterans, active-duty members, and first responders with disabilities. Every service dog is trained to respond to the needs of its owner. This nonprofit organization is always looking for volunteers. Locals can get involved by becoming a weekend puppy raiser, working in the kennels, and more. See here for how to volunteer with America’s Vetdogs.
Read More: November 2024 Events at the Jersey Shore
GOODS | 301 Union Street #21308, Seattle, Washington
GOODS is a program under Greater Good Charities, a nonprofit organization that operates worldwide. Since 2011, this organization has donated over 715 million in pet meals and tens of millions in supplies since its establishment. Its mission is to provide items like food, essentials, clothing, housewares, and toys to pets and veterans in need. Locals interested in getting involved can become a sponsor through its ambassador program or donate in a one-time payment or monthly increments. See here for more information.
Homes For Our Troops | 6 Main Street, Taunton, Massachusetts
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Homes For Our Troops, founded in 2004, is a nonprofit organization that builds and donates homes to severely injured post-September 11th veterans nationwide. These homes are customly adapted to fit the needs of each veteran. There are multiple ways to get involved with Homes For Our Troops. Participates can donate monthly payments, donate used cars, host a fundraising event, and more. See here for the details.
Semper Fi + America’s Fund | 825 College Boulevard, Suite 102 PMB 609, Oceanside, California
Semper Fi + America’s Fund is an organization that services critically wounded and ill veterans, service members, and military families. This organization supports all of the U.S. forces through individualized case management, connection, and more. Semper Fi + America’s Fund accepts one-time and monthly monetary donations, as well as vehicle donations, endowments, and more. See here on all the ways to donate.
Wounded Warrior Project | 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide care and comfort to wounded soldiers. Since its conception, the organization has grown to provide a plethora of services, including mental and physical health and wellness services, programs for veterans with neurological or physical injuries, and more. WWP welcomes one-time, monthly, or honor + memorial donations. To get involved, see here for more information.
See More: How to Help Local Veterans in Hoboken + Jersey City
31 Hero’s | 2109 Thoroughgood Road #55436, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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This organization was founded in remembrance of the events of August 6th, 2011, where a U.S. military helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan, killing 30 American soldiers. 31 Hero’s mission is to raise awareness for Veterans’ mental health and funds for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. For those looking to get involved, one-time or monthly donations are welcomed. See here to donate and here for more information on 31 Hero’s.
We Visited Every Rest Stop on the GSP; Here’s What We Liked at Each
Rest stops along the Garden State Parkway provide food, fuel, clean restrooms, and education for famous New Jerseyians. Out-of-state visitors and local travelers can take a break from their vehicles to enjoy exhibits with artifacts, interactive video monitors, and memorabilia, as well as a plethora of fast food eateries, coffee shops, and convenience stores. In 2021, Governor Phil Murphy celebrated National New Jersey Day by announcing that the state's turnpike authority would rename the service areas along the Garden State Parkway after nine members of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Local icons who received the high honor of a dedicated rest stop include Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Judy Blume, Jon Bon Jovi, Connie Chung, James Gandolfini, Larry Doby, Celia Cruz, and Bruce Willis. Read on to learn more about the service areas and rest stops on New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway.
Photo Credit: Famartin, Creative Commons
Bruce Willis Service Area — Cape May
18 Garden State Parkway MP 18, Ocean View, NJ 08230
Milepost: 18.3, Center median between exits 17 and 20
Actor Bruce Willis, best known for his roles in the Die Hard franchise and the 1980s show Moonlighting, is not a New Jersey native, but while growing up, his family moved to Carneys Point, where he attended Penns Grove High School. Services at the Bruce Willis Service Area include APlus Convenience Store, Sunoco Service Station, restrooms, and the New Jersey Tourism Information Center, which is open all year, 7 days a week, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, this service area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is open from 6AM to 10PM for the rest of the year.
James Gandolfini Service Area — Montvale
172 Garden State Parkway, Montvale, NJ 07645
Milepost: 171, Center median between exits 171 and 172, north and southbound
James Gandolfini — best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO television series The Sopranos — grew up in Park Ridge and graduated from Rutgers University. Services at the James Gandolfini Service Area include Dunkin', Auntie Anne's, Nathan's, Burger King, Applegreen Convenience Store, Sunoco Service Station, and restrooms.
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Larry Doby Service Area — Brookdale North
Garden State Parkway, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Milepost: 153, between exits 151 and 153A, northbound
Larry Doby has a rest stop in Bloomfield named after him. The late baseball star who grew up in Paterson and later became the first Black player in the American League following Jackie Robinson. Services at the Larry Doby Service Area include an APlus Convenience Store, a Sunoco service station, electric vehicle charging stations (EVgo), and restrooms.
Connie Chung Service Area — Brookdale South
Garden State Parkway, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Milepost: 153
Even though television journalist Connie Chung was born in Washington D.C., her award-winning contributions to journalism and long-term residence in the state got her a dedicated rest stop on the parkway. The Connie Chung Service area has a Burger King, Applegreen, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and restrooms.
Whitney Houston Service Area — Vauxhall
1 Vauxhall Road, Union, NJ 07083
Milepost: 142.3
Singer, actress, and film producer Whitney Houston grew up in East Orange and got her start singing in a Newark church. The Whitney Houston rest stop, located in Union, New Jersey, has a Shake Shack, Popeyes, Sunoco, Applegreen, and restrooms. The commuter lot at the Whitney Houston Service Area is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. All other days, there is a two-hour limit.
Jon Bon Jovi Service Area — Cheesequake
124 Garden State Parkway, South Amboy, NJ 08879
Milepost: 124, Center median between exits 124 and 124, just south of the Driscoll Bridge, north and southbound
Jon Bon Jovi, the lead singer of the rock band Bon Jovi, grew up in Sayreville. The rest stop formerly known as Cheesequake has a Starbucks, Burger King, Auntie Anne's, Popeyes, Z Market, and restrooms. As of August 2024, there are no fuel services available at this location until further notice. There are two commuter lots in the Jon Bon Jovi Service Area. The carpool lot at the south end is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days. Bus service is provided by Academy from the lot at the north end of the service area.
Judy Blume Service Area — Monmouth
100 Garden State Parkway, Wall Township, NJ 07719
Milepost: 100, Located between Interchanges 98 and 100 north and southbound
Judy Blume, the celebrated children’s author who grew up in Elizabeth, has a service area named for her on the Garden State Parkway right at the Jersey Shore. The Judy Blume Service Area has a Starbucks, Shake Shack, Auntie Anne's, Z Market, a Sunoco service station, and restrooms. This service area has three commuter lots. The lot known as “Belmar South” is used primarily by carpoolers and can be accessed through backroads in Wall, New Jersey. The commuter lots are open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days. Bus Service from the Judy Blume Service Area is provided by the Academy at the Belmar North and Lukoil Commuter Lots.
Celia Cruz Service Area — Forked River
76 Garden State Parkway, Forked River, NJ 08731
Milepost: 76, Center median between exits 74 and 80 north and southbound
Celia Cruz, most known as the “Queen of Salsa,” is one of the most influential and iconic figures in Latin music. Cruz lived in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and her dedicated service area is located in Forked River. Services at the Celia Cruz rest stop include Burger King, Z Market, Dunkin', Nathan's, a Sunoco service station, and restrooms. The commuter lot at the Celia Cruz Service Area is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days. Academy provides bus service to New York City from this location.
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Frank Sinatra Service Area — Atlantic
41.4 Garden State Parkway, Galloway, NJ 08205
Milepost: 41.4, Center median between exits 40 and 44 north and southbound
It's no surprise that the Atlantic City rest area is dedicated to Frank Sinatra, the late singer, and actor who grew up in Hoboken and often performed in A.C. throughout the 1940s into the 1960s. The Frank Sinatra Service Area has Dunkin', Burger King, Auntie Anne's, Z Market, a Sunoco service station, and restrooms. The commuter lot is open from 4AM to 2AM Monday through Friday, except holidays. There is a two-hour parking limit on all other days.
