Sending warmth to Iraq
by LISA A. JOHNSON Lancaster/Depew Editor

Pupils at William Street School in Lancaster hope to deliver the warm feeling of home to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq.

Mary Donna Beck's and Sally Allgaier's 46 sixth-graders spent several days last week measuring and cutting fabric to create 12 blankets, which they will send to soldiers in Iraq along with other dry products, such as toiletries.

The project is being conducted through the school's Good Citizens Club. Pupils also wrote letters to the soldiers to express appreciation for the job they do and recorded a DVD with a holiday greeting.

On Friday, about a dozen students were working around three tables in the hallway, chalking up and pinning together pieces of material, cutting and tying fringes and folding their creations.

As they worked, pupils discussed what the project means to them, agreeing that sending items to the soldiers makes them feel good.

"I feel pretty happy helping the soldiers who are cold and fighting in Iraq," Nathan Josker said. "It's a Christmas gift."

Kayla McCall and Christa Carr said the blankets are their way of giving back.

"I think it's good because you know the soldiers are fighting for our country," Kayla said.

"The soldiers are doing so much for us," Christa said. "We don't even realize what they're doing for us."

Alex Stojanovski was happy to spend an hour and a half helping to make a blanket because it was for a good cause.

"It's a taste of home for the holidays," he said.

Beck said the group hopes to send the blankets and other items to the troops Friday, Dec. 14.

The project teaches the pupils valuable lessons, Beck, an Williamsville resident, said.

"I think it gives them a sense of community service and that there are people out there sacrificing so they can enjoy the freedom they have," she said.

e-mail: Ljohnson@beenews.com