'Joint' Operation Seeks Veteran Donations For Milford Charity

MILFORD, MA — A Milford nonprofit that collects items to donate to veterans — typically from local organizations like the Milford library and Girl Scout troops — will benefit from a Mendon-based cannabis shop's fundraiser this week.

The adult-use store Joint Operations will mount a joint operation with Milford's Thanks To Yanks on Saturday, which is Armed Forces Day, to collect sundries and food to ship to troops serving overseas.

The donation drive will take place at all three Joint Operations stores in Massachusetts (Rowley, Mendon, Gardner), and will coincide with the company's customer appreciation day events, which may mean more customers for the donation drive. The stores on Saturday will feature a secret cannabis menu.

"Our customer appreciation event is one of our busiest days, making it the perfect opportunity to host a donation drive. We aim to gather as many donations as possible to support our deployed troops and veterans in need," District Project Coordinator at Joint Operations Jillian Roberts said in a news release.

Each Joint Operations store will host a donation box for Thanks To Yanks through May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day. The donation drive is seeking specific items, including toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo and conditioner, mouthwash (alcohol-free), cookies and crackers, flavored water packets, ground coffee and protein bars.

Thanks To Yanks, is a non-political 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support military members, veterans and their families. Founded in 2006, the nonprofit began as an annual tribute dinner to recognize the sacrifices military families endured and to honor the victims and rescue personnel in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Joint Operations was co-founded in 2020 by Bill Duggan, a U.S. Army veteran.