By Laura Lane
Sister Jane Margaret, 84, uses donated stamps to teach the children social skills, geography, history and zoology by engaging them in a class that she calls her stamp club.
But it wouldn't be possible for Sister Jane Margaret to hold the class if not for people like the veterans of Merrick American Legion Post 1282.
St. Margaret's House always needs more stamps, which Tom Riordan, a Post 1282 member and commander of the Nassau County American Legion, said the veterans provide. They've collected stamps for the last year in an effort that Riordan said Merrick veterans are proud to take part in.
"I was looking in a stamp magazine at the library, and an appeal from the sister stood out like it was pointing a finger at me saying we need your help," said Riordan. "People have been generous donating used stamps for us to send to sister."
Sister Jane Margaret uses the stamps as a teaching tool by discussing the images on the stamps with the children, who then sort them into categories. They create exhibits and art projects with the stamps. St. Margaret's House even holds three exhibits each year to display the children's stamp creations, something that Sister Jane Margaret said means so much to them.
Sister Jane Margaret recently sent thank-you letters to the veterans, along with photographs of the children proudly displaying their work at the exhibits. "When you do something like this, you wonder what the results will be. This is so wonderful," said Riordan. "Our theme at the American Legion is we're still serving America. This is part of our efforts."
Comments about this story? Llane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
