Valentines For The Troops

To the Editor:

This will be the third year that Sandy Hook Elementary School will be sending cards and letters for St Valentine’s Day to our armed forces serving overseas. Classes from second to fourth grade will be writing letters and kindergarten students will be making cards. First grade typically does not participate due to scheduling conflicts.

Military deployment changes from year to year and persons who we write to in one year may be back in the USA the next year. Each year, we must start from scratch to assemble names and addresses. Last year, we sent out about 400 cards and letters. The Sandy Hook PTA graciously donated shirts that were mailed to all known Newtown residents.

Parents were asked to donate stamps and cash to cover the postage for all the mail. The Newtown Post Master and employees assisted by weighing the letters and packages so that the children could personally mail their parcels. Postal employees also generously dug into their own wallets to help cover some shortfalls in postage.

 Since 9/11, security measures no longer allow mail to be sent to “Any Service Member.” We must now have a person’s name and military address. We like to know a little about each person so that the students have something to write about in their letter. For example, does the person have a favorite sport, or hobby, do they live in Connecticut or other state?

The children will begin letter writing in the next couple of weeks. We would like to have all names and addresses assembled by January 11. This will ensure enough time in the postal system so that they will be received by February 14. If you know of anyone who is serving overseas and would like to add his/her name to our list, please let us know as soon as possible. You can call me at home at 364-9772. You may also drop off information at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please mark the envelope St Valentine’s Day Letters attn: Vice Principal Gasparine. 

 Please help spread the word about our project. It is just our small way of saying “Thank you for your service” to our military men and women who are so far from home.

Donna Monteleone Randle

Sandy Hook Parent, PTA member

4 Erin Lane, Sandy Hook                                  January 2, 2008