MAHONING VALLEY Students send care packages far from home

The deadline for donations is Dec. 5.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- They don't do it for money or recognition.
Lareane Rue does it to follow the example of her single mother, who always helped neighbors find resources to pay bills or put dinner on the table.
"When I do things, I do it from my heart," said Rue, explaining why she majors in social work at Youngstown State University.
"I just wanted to help people, it's that plain and simple," said fellow social work major Sharla Chatman. "You never know what's going to happen to you in life. You hope someone will be there to help carry the load you're carrying."
The women are members of the Student Social Work Association at YSU that has volunteered in various community projects this term. Now, they are part of a nine-member committee collecting items to mail to soldiers overseas.
Chatman, who chairs the committee, said she tried to put herself in the place of soldiers far from home.
"I have family and friends in the military and would hope someone would extend a hand out to them if they needed something," said Chatman, who chairs the care-package committee. "And I was thinking about the men and women who don't have anyone. ... We wanted them to know we didn't forget about them."
The students reached out to local businesses for gift cards and, so far, collected $135 from Wal-Mart in Austintown, Target in Niles, Giant Eagle in Liberty and Burger King.
About 35 letters were sent or passed out, Chatman said. Companies that couldn't help wanted to, she said, but were unable to for various reasons, including short notice and the nearness to the holiday season.
The group will use the gift cards to buy items such as travel-size toiletries, bug lotion, T-shirts and undergarments, books, puzzles, cards, stationery, drinks and nonchocolate snacks. Troops also ask for letters and photos, so kindergartners in the class of Rue's son at Youngstown's North Elementary School plan to write letters.
Chatman said they also ask for other things, like decorations for their living spaces.
"Thing you wouldn't think," she said. "It's sad actually, very sad.
"We want them to remember we always think of them. ... Everything they do and the chances they take are not forgotten."
The items will be taken to the USO In Akron, where the students will help package them for mailing. A goal is to have all items collected by Dec. 5 so students can deliver them to the USO by Dec. 8 for a Dec. 10 shipping date.
Commitment
The project has been a big one, undertaken by students who are busy with school, families, work, internships or upcoming graduations. But it has been a learning experience.
"It takes lots and lots of patience, understanding, working together," said Rue, who serves as the group's community liaison.
"A lot of no's, a lot of disappointment," Chatman added.
They also learned social work and networking on a macro level.
Dr. Shirley Keller, the group's faculty adviser, said she's been "very impressed" with the work of this group, not just during the care-package event but throughout the term.
Other projects include creating a scholarship fund in honor of social work major Kim DeOnofrio, who died of cancer this year; collecting canned goods for the food pantry at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley; working with Toys for Tots through the Salvation Army; volunteering at the Salvation Army Stand Down; and participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
"In social work, it certainly is helping the needy and disenfranchised, helping people in need, and recognizing community as being more than our local area," Keller said. "Students are ... looking at unmet needs and trying to fulfill those needs.
"They're a good group of great social workers out there. It will mean good things for Youngstown and Warren."