The 7th annual Brat Fry to benefit the local Military Support Group will be held Friday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at the Coldwell Banker Mulleady office located at 601 Lincoln St., Rhinelander.

A bratwurst, chips, a cookie and a soda can be purchased for $5, and all proceeds benefit the Military Support Group, specifically Operation Shoebox.

“We started Operation Shoebox in 2002,” said LeRoy Eades of the Military Support Group. Operation Shoebox is a program in which local volunteers collect and ship items that troops fighting in remote areas overseas can’t obtain otherwise. For example, troops fighting in Afghanistan now are “asking for snack foods, hard candy and gum,” Eades said. Other shipments to overseas troops through the years have included personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and shampoo.

“We ship from 25 to 35 items per box,” Eades said, adding that Operation Shoebox is entirely operated by volunteers. “All we take in goes directly to shipping and buying. We are not affiliated with any government agency.” The organization also ships clothing such as T-shirts and socks to the Chaplain’s Closet at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Operation Shoebox is an ongoing project of the Military Support Group, and for those who want to get involved, there is plenty of opportunity. “We pack the last Saturday of every month, and we’re looking for volunteers for that,” Eades said. Packing takes place at the new Rhinelander Veterans Center located at 1002 Coon Street. For more information, call LeRoy Eades at (715) 362-2746 or (715) 360-0433.

Any individuals or businesses who would like to become involved in the brat fry may contact Coldwell Banker at (715) 369-1223.

The brat fry is co-sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mulleady Realty and Rhinelander GM & Toyota.