Kennedy Staff & Students Send Packages to Our TroopsSeeking activities for Veterans' Day led the Student Government Association of Kennedy High School into a month long project. Ms. Florita Cotto and Kathleen Renegar (JFK Social Studies Teachers and co-Advisors of SGA) came up with the idea to collect items and send the packages to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Approximately 80 students from the social studies classes and SGA participated. Some of the items we collected were sunscreen, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, chapstick, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissues, other personal hygiene items, candy, beef jerky, breakfast and granola bars, tuna, soup and other canned items. Paper, envelops and pens for the soldiers to use to write home were also included. Any items that could not be sent, such as items containing pork, were given to the JFK Interact Club's Thanksgiving Food Drive. The students and staff of JFK were extremely generous in answering the call for donations, and over 60 packages were assembled at first. Needing funds to cover the cost of shipping the packages, additional donations were sought by the students. Social Studies teacher Lou Bonora contacted Karen Brown, newly elected Passaic County Clerk and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson to ask for donations. On Wednesday, November 24, Rep. Pascrell and Ms. Brown came to JFK's television studio and donated three checks totaling $400.00. They also met with some of the students who had made the care-packages. With these donations plus money donated students and teachers we were able to send 75 packages to our soldiers. Websites were used to gather names and address of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Five or six packages were sent to one contact person who would then distribute them to other soldiers. Also included were letters to the soldiers and a card addressed to the JFK Social Studies Dept. so that they could write back to us if they wished. So far five letters from soldiers thanking the students have been received telling of their experiences and some have included pictures. One soldier also sent a CD of pictures. A "JOB WELL DONE" to the staff and students of JFK |
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