By SARI ZEIDLER
By the end of December, the students will have made an impact that will be felt in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan.
The Mepham English Department and the class of 2012 have poured time, energy and creativity into a project called Dear Any Soldier, gathering 110 boxes full of supplies and gifts to send to soldiers overseas this holiday season. They are also sending letters and poems about the meaning of freedom, adding a personal touch.
Last month students sold bagels, baked goods and yellow ribbons to raise money for the project. They also wrote to local businesses asking for donations.
"I was surprised at myself and everyone else because I really didn't think I would donate so much time to do something," said Sean Buchalter, 14, describing a sentiment shared by classmates that the program inspired them to an unexpected degree. Buchalter said he often spent time volunteering before or after school for Dear Any Soldier.
"They really had each other's backs," said ninth-grade English teacher and project leader Annette Calcagni. "That's really unique to see at a ninth-grade level, the kind of friendships that were formed."
Students collected items ranging from toothbrushes and toothpaste to instant soup mix to books, DVDs and playing cards. According to Calcagni, care packages will be sent first to soldiers who are Mepham alumni and faculty family members.
Dear Any Soldier is a national program started by Marty and Sue Horn of La Plata, Md., whose son, Sgt. Brian Horn, of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was sent to Iraq in 2003. The Horns learned that their son often shared his care packages with fellow soldiers. In response, the Horns began sending care packages overseas addressed "ATTN: ANY SOLDIER." The effort grew into Any Soldier Inc., which, through the Web site anysoldier.com, has matched interested donors with more than 100,000 military personnel from all branches of the armed services.
Dear Any Soldier first came to Mepham last year, but, Calcagni said this year, "It got big really quickly."
"I can't imagine going to class and not hearing a Dear Any Soldier update," 14-year-old Shoshi Sikrebich said of the program.
Calcagni estimated that 300 freshmen took part in the project, with about 20 ninth-graders volunteering daily and 50 to 60 taking part in special fundraisers. Local businesses such as Town Bagel of Bellmore and Harley Davidson on Newbridge Road contributed goods, and the North Bellmore American Legion, the Bellmore American Legion, the Veterans Association and members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department donated money for shipping, which cost $10.95 per box.
Packages will be sent this week so they will arrive in time for the holidays.
Many of the students involved in Dear Any Soldier expressed a lasting interest in community service. Buchalter said he hopes to get involved in another charitable cause soon, perhaps working with gravely ill people.
"After it's done, I'm going to feel like something is missing," said John Dunne, 14, who was selected to share his freedom poems with classmates. "When we first started, I thought it was going to be just another school project, and then it really turned into more. It wasn't just the grade you were working for; we were really trying to help."
"That's exactly what is unique and exceptional about this program," said Mepham Principal Mike Harrington. "We're seeing freshmen take on a leadership role."
Calcagni, who said she was "beyond touched" by the students' commitment, plans to bring Dear Any Soldier to Grand Avenue Middle School, where she teaches writing enrichment in the spring.
Comments about this story? SZeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
