Teacher starts organization to bring hope to soldiers overseas
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Capt. Kevin Heller is stationed in Afghanistan.

A sea of lights, Christmas music in shopping centers, pine trees dressed with garlands and ornaments - the vision most people have of the Christmas season.

Picture it gone. No family, no friends to spread holiday cheer. That is what many soldiers face as they fight for the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sweet Home School District Spanish teacher Becky Mansell learned of the lack of holiday spirit after speaking to her best friend, Capt. Kevin G. Heller, who is based in Afghanistan.

Mansell decided she had to spread some hope to the military men and women, so she started a not-for-profit organization through the Internal Revenue Service called "Lights of Hope."

The money raised is used to purchase white lights so the soldiers can decorate for the holidays.

"Some (soldiers) don't receive anything from anyone," Mansell said. When she first started the project, her goal was to purchase a single strand of white lights for each soldier at Heller's station, but the plan changed.

Thus far, Mansell has raised enough money to purchase 2,000 strands of lights. The lights will decorate the dining halls in Afghanistan.

Only white lights will be sent because they are nondenominational. American power will be used to light the decorations. Mansell is also looking into purchasing garlands for the soldiers who are at places without power.

"The white signifies hope," Mansell said. "Our local guys (and girls) are in Afghanistan. Why not give our local guys some hope."

Some lights will also be purchased for soldiers in Iraq.

Mansell will continue to collect money through Nov. 5, and depending on the success after the end date, the organization may continue through next year.

"What makes your holiday worthwhile," Mansell said. "Now imagine it gone. You have none of that. You're far away from home in a strange world in the desert. I want to give a little bit of hope to them."

Mansell will be at the Buffalo Bills home game Sunday, Nov. 4 collecting money for the Lights of Hope organization.

To send a check, mail to: Lights of Hope c/o Becky Mansell P.O. Box 7, Hamburg, N.Y. 14075.