Madison Coupons to Help Military Families Overseas

Coupons from Madison could soon give a boost to military families overseas.

Venture Crew 77 is asking community members through the month of April to drop off their manufacturer coupons in boxes around the borough to be sent to military families.

The coupons will be mailed through Coupons to Troops, which notes manufacturer coupons are accepted at overseas commissaries six months past their listed expiration dates.

is collecting the coupons from Madison and neighboring towns and the project is being spearheaded by Venture Crew 77 Vice President Sina Alhusseini, a junior and member of BSA-Patriots’ Path Council’s Youth Executive Committee.

She is working with Dave Carey, a Madison firefighter, Marine veteran and Troop 7 Eagle Scout, who started an email chain about Coupons to Troops after hearing about it from the state Firefighter's Mutual Benevolent Association. Carey's email eventually reached Alhusseini and led to her taking on the project.

Alhusseini is working toward Venturing's highest honor, the Silver Award, and wanted a project that supported U.S. military members when she learned about Coupons to Troops.

Carey, whose son is an Air Force staff sergeant, has led previous community efforts to support troops and recently learned about Coupons to Troops.

"When I read about it, it was something that appealed to me," Carey said.

He said he liked that Coupons to Troops supports families in addition to the troops.

Carey said, based on personal experience, he expects coupons for personal hygeine items are particularly desirable, though all manufacturer coupons are requested.

"They appreciate anything from home that shows people are thinking of them," he said. "It's a project that almost anybody can get behind and it's not really costing anything. ... It's just taking a little bit of your time. Sometimes that's the thing that counts the most."

Carey said it is a pleasure working with Alhusseini and residents should support the project.

"Look for a box and help out," Carey said. "It's families helping families."

Drop-off boxes are available at the following locations. Individual store coupons are not accepted by the program.

• American Legion Post 43 in Florham Park
• Patriots’ Path Council Headquarters in Florham Park

Additional locations may be added during the month, and Venture Crew 77 will pick up coupons if needed.