Every once in awhile we have an opportunity to do the right thing, and this is one of those times. As you may know, New Jersey is facing a significant deployment of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan – the largest deployment, in fact, since World War II. The June deployment brought the total number of New Jerseyans engaged to 4,000. Make no mistake, 4,000 is a big number.

The bigger number, however, is the tally of family members left behind as these troops head out to a war zone.

If we think about previous wars, the warriors were mostly career military or draftees. This time, we’re talking about Citizen Soldiers – the men and women of the New Jersey National Guard. Unlike their predecessors, National Guard families don’t live on military bases.

They don’t have the support network to turn to that exists on a military base. They live down the street, go to our church, work in the next department. They have financial emergencies, accidents and illnesses, just like everyone else. The only difference is that they are missing a key person in their family support network – many times the breadwinner. And a year can be a very long time.

Ralph Izzo, chairman, president & CEO, Public Service Enterprise Group, is spearheading Operation: Help NJ Families, an effort to raise a million dollars to support these families over the course of the coming year.

Monies raised will go to the State Family Readiness Council (SFRC), a National Guard 501(c)3 charitable organization, to provide emergency funds to families in need. Application is made by the individual in distress to the SFRC – everything from heating oil to unexpected medical bills – and the organization steps in to help. Less than 2% of the funds raised are used for administration – probably the most efficient not-for-profit in the country.

Ralph and his PSEG team, including our Chairman, Bill Marino of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, are asking major employers – particularly those with National Guard members among their employees – to commit $25,000 to the fund.

In July, major contributors joined the Governor, legislative leaders and the press on a special trip to meet with our troops at Fort Bliss in Texas. They enjoyed a Texas barbeque in the desert and returned to New Jersey the following morning. It was a unique opportunity to demonstrate commitment to the troops and, in particular, those who work for you.

Whether you can free up $25,000 from your company or foundation, or whether you simply want to support the troops, we welcome your participation.

Contribution checks should be made payable to the fund – State Family Readiness Council – and sent to my attention at the Chamber (Joan Verplanck, NJ Chamber of Commerce, 216 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608). I will log them, send you a thank you and forward them immediately to the Council.

As for Ralph Izzo, Bill Marino and their supporting colleagues, thank you for reminding us of our responsibility and for taking the lead. This is what business leaders do best; they look out for their people.

State Chamber President Joan Verplanck can be reached at joan@njchamber.com.