By Rachel Kalina
Last week, 550 hand-written letters were sent to U.S. troops in Iraq. The holiday greetings were penned by elementary-school students in grades kindergarten through fifth and some of their families. Among the writers was the fourth grader of Laura Duffy, PTA Co-President.
"They were beautiful poignant letters," Duffy said, adding that they actually brought tears to her eyes.
She explained that the PTA had decided to do something to help others for the holidays that was not just another boutique or bake sale. PTA Co-President Melissa Watts and member Joann Johnson had a large role in making the letters happen, Duffy said.
The classroom project took about a day to complete, and the letters were picked up last Monday by DHL International, Ltd., a shipping company that will be in charge of dispersing the letters to different parts of Iraq.
Fran Holt, also a PTA member at Plaza, said she could relate to the experience because her husband had recently served overseas and many children do still have parents in Iraq. She recalled when her daughter's class had written to her husband while he was in Kuwait last May.
"It was so nice and special," she said. "The soldiers were really happy to see the letters. Whatever we can do to support them, I'm all for it."
Duffy said the PTA also had help from Minute Man Press in Baldwin, which prepared red-and-white, polka dot paper with green trim for the students to write upon.
"We were hoping to spread some good will from Plaza to these men and women who are serving so far away," Duffy said, "and to bring them a little joy through the holiday season - even for a moment in their busy day."
Photos by Susan Grieco/Herald
