Waverly Park ‘adopts’ a soldier

Courtesy Shari Glickman-Bowes/Waverly Park Elementary School

Waverly Park Elementary School is adopting soldiers this year — and it’s been a wonderful experience already for many of the classes.   

Shari Bowes’ class was paired with 2006 Lynbrook graduate Lieutenant Greg Durso, who recently graduated from West Point.  

Durso is a platoon leader in Kandalay, in the province of Kandahar, Afghanistan/ He has been in constant contact with the students through email, and has been able to answer both individual and class questions.  

Most recently Bowes’ class started a campaign called “This Stinks!”  They have collected all items related to hygiene, so that they can send them to Durso and his platoon. They have also raised money to ship the items. One of her students ran a lemonade stand and raised $28 for the cause.

Students in Courtney Jacobs’ class have “adopted” Thomas Ryder. Thomas grew up in Garden City, and has been in contact with the class, writing back and forth through email.  The children are awaiting his pictures and more information about where he is stationed. Jacobs’ class is also beginning a collection of supplies to send to Ryder.  

“This program has had a tremendous effect on the Waverly Park community,” said Bowes, “and we look forward to continuing to help throughout the school year.”