Jeff and Diana Merrit's Good deed has grown into one of the Shore's most Recognized and Important efforts
Written by Alison Pappas
Operation We Care’s name is a realistic reflection of the work the all-volunteer organization does to demonstrate its appreciation for our local military members and first responders. The nonprofit was founded by Salisbury resident Jeff Merritt, who comes from a family of veterans; His father being a WWII veteran and his older brother a Vietnam War veteran.
Although he never served in the military, Jeff witnessed some of the tragedy of 9/11 firsthand. “I was working for a company that had a contract with the Department of Defense, and on that particular day, I found myself at the Pentagon, and I saw the plane come through the building. Literally the next day, my role changed, and I was detailed there for five months while we assisted with the cleanup and the rebuilding of the section that was damaged,” shared Jeff.
This experience, combined with his family’s military background, led to Jeff suggesting to his wife, Diana, that they create care packages for local military stationed abroad for the holidays in 2007.
AT YOUR SERVICE
Of its many positives, Operation We Care involves so many different community organizations in support of its mission, including local Brownie, Girl Scout and Boys Scout Troops. Jeff Merritt, lower right, is recognized with Operation We Care board members by the Delmar Police Department.
“We put them together in less than a month and sent boxes off. We didn’t really have a plan or budget. The community got ahold of it, the news got involved, and the word spread quickly. It became clear quickly that we needed to keep doing this and that it was not just a one-time thing. Here we are 16 years later,” shared Merritt.
In this span, Operation We Care has compiled and shipped over 30,000 care packages to U.S. military troops deployed all over the world.
The organization’s efforts extend to supporting local first responders. Notably, they have assisted the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in purchasing two K9s, with plans to acquire a third.
Operation We Care is gearing up for its annual holiday campaign. If you would like to support it mission or other efforts, visit OperationWeCare.org to find out more details about the most-desired donation items or monetary donation methods. CS