Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Photo
Rosalia Stewart, a fourth-grader at Kirkmere Elementary, selects a color to finish her Christmas card. Students made cards that will be sent to wounded U.S. military personnel in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., who can’t go home for the holiday.
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
Students at Kirk- mere Elementary School hope their efforts make Christmas brighter for military personnel who can’t make it home for the holiday.
Jan Donofrio, primary literacy facilitator, got an email from her sister, whose husband was a Marine. The email asked for Christmas cards for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
Donofrio thought it was a good idea to help students as well as offer some comfort to the wounded military men and women.
The city school district is focusing on literacy this year, Donofrio said, and students are working on their writing skills. She thought the cards project fit right in.
All Kirkmere students, kindergarten through fifth grade, put glue to construction paper and Crayon or marker to paper to make the cards.
Fourth-grader Tyler Esker, 9, wrote, “Thank you for putting your life on the line and for doing so much for us when we have done nothing for you,” in the card he made. He drew a tank with a big bow on it inside.
“It’s a thank-you tank,” he said.
Tyler’s mother serves in the Air Force Reserves.
Besides the cards, preschool students at the school brought nonperishable food items and toiletries to make care packages for Marines stationed in Japan.
Kirkmere Principal Donna Cox Bing’s son, Gregory Bing, is one of those Marines and will distribute the packages to his fellow service members.
Preschool teacher Verna Jones said the children — even at age 3 to 5 — understand the concept of giving. Students brought in Ramen noodles, granola bars, gum, oatmeal, shampoo and toothpaste among the items for the Marines. Each signed a card.
“They understand that other people can’t be with their families for the holidays, and that makes them sad,” Jones said.
Donofrio said both projects offer lessons across several disciplines.
“It’s social studies, current events, you could talk about the history of the holiday,” she said.
Daniel Ifft, 10, barely looked up from his card, carefully coloring in an outline of Santa Claus with red and green markers.
“It’s going to soldiers that are in the hospital,” Daniel said.
His aunt and uncle are both in the Navy.
Both Regan Scavotto, 10, and Elliot Hall, 11, worked diligently on their cards. Each has a grandfather who was in the military.
Ezekiel Jones, 10, has an uncle in the Air Force. His card reads, “Merry Christmas soldiers.”
“I want them to feel happy that they’re serving their country,” he said.
Ebraejah Glenn, 10, and Tamya Holcomb, 9, also want to thank the wounded soldiers for their sacrifice.
“I hope they think it’s nice,” Ebraejah said of the reaction she hopes for from her card’s recipient.
Rosalia Stewart, 9, hopes the soldiers get out of the hospital and get to go home soon.
Toriano Nelson, 9, sent a salute from his friends and family in his card.
“Thank you for keeping us safe,” he wrote.