Valentines For Troops 2012 Begins

To the Editor:

In the fall of 2005, an incredibly creative and caring second grade teacher from Sandy Hook Elementary School came up with an innovative idea. Her class would use their letter writing exercise in January to write letters to our troops overseas. Carole MacInnes asked for my help in getting names and addresses for the children to write to. In January 2006, 50 letters from Sandy Hook School were mailed and Valentines For Troops was born.

In the next and succeeding years, the idea spread. This January will be the seventh year of this grass roots outreach by Newtown students and residents. All the public elementary schools, St Rose of Lima, Reed Intermediate, as well as students from middle school and high school have participated on many different levels. Some have mailed DVDs, some have sent personal care items and food treats such as gum, candy, beef jerky. Reed Intermediate students created their own CD so they could “sing to our troops.” Our Newtown Girl Scouts have sent tons of cookies! Boy Scouts have sent letters and care packages. Church school classes have sent cards and drawings.

Adults have participated as well on their own or with groups. One resident took photos of Newtown after snow had fallen. These beautiful pictures were blown up to 8x10 and packages were sent to many units and posted for all to see. They were so moved that I began to receive e-mails from people saying they want to move to Newtown!

Rotations of our troops change constantly and so each fall we must begin again to collect names, addresses, and e-mail contacts for our January send-off. If you have a friend or a loved one who is in the military, we would love to know so we can add them and their entire unit to our list.

We need volunteers to help make phone calls, send e-mails, communicate with other groups, oversee groups, collect donations etc. Residents with all skill levels and time allotments are needed. If you would like to participate, we want to hear from you.

 We always welcome new schools and groups. Sports teams, office groups, social clubs, senior groups, Lions, Rotary, VNA, VFW, anyone who would like to reach out to our troops is welcome.

If you would like to be a part of Valentines For Troops 2012, please email me at ndrandle@charter.net or call 203-364-9772. Thank you in advance for your support of our military men and women overseas!

Donna Monteleone Randle

Valentines for Troops

4 Erin Lane, Sandy Hook                                      September 21, 2011