This past December, the students and citizens in the Fallston community contributed a plethora of goodies to the “Greywolf” military unit in Africa. In honor of the holiday season, stockings were crafted by STRIVE students for each soldier. Alongside the carefully put together stockings, students made an array of cards to deliver too. Each homeroom had been assigned names to address their letters to in order to ensure that everyone deployed in Africa received specialized letters.
Ms. Tracy Trexler, a media technician and the mother-in-law of one of the men deployed in Africa, said, “I’ve heard so many students and teachers getting excited about hearing back from the soldiers through mail and they really do get excited to see the photos.”
Not only was the feedback from Fallston positive, but so was the feedback from the soldiers deployed. When word was received from the soldiers and delivered via the FHS announcements, teachers and students watched an array of clips that displayed the soldiers’ gratitude! “The 1st Lieutenant is giving me updates all the time,” Ms. Trexler recalled. “And he can’t stop gushing over how happy they are to hear from us and get these treats.”
In total there were 60 stockings put together for the soldiers deployed in Africa, and each had a soldier’s last name on them to make them just that bit more personal. Cards, Q-Tips, deodorant, mints, and more were all donated to make up the 60 stockings delivered to soldiers.
The overall success was huge, and the soldiers greatly appreciated the gifts, with a commander exclaiming, “Thank you all for the support you’re giving myself and my soldiers. It doesn’t go unnoticed. We truly appreciate it!” This exchange was incredibly beneficial to the soldiers and gave the opportunity to students to help our United States soldiers.
While it’s not exactly easy to gift care packages for each holiday since units are only deployed for about 9 months, the National Honor Society students are getting involved in a community donation drive. They are collecting items for upcoming care packages that will be sent to each individual soldier. Ms. Trexler said, “Getting a package with their name on it is one of the biggest thrills for service members!”
This program is extremely beneficial to both parties, presenting a chance to connect students’ lives and the lives of those fighting for our country. The current packages being worked on by student homerooms are to be completed by this month, March, and shipped to make it to the soldiers by Easter!
