Grand Prairie Elementary School pre-kindergarten through second grade students are again making things a little brighter for American soldiers serving overseas. In conjunction with the District 157-C Character Counts character education program, the school is collecting items to send as care packages to soldiers in time for the holidays
The school has been sending care packages to soldiers since 2006 through the efforts of teacher Becky Cleveland and retired teacher Carolyn Stanek who have sons serving our country in the military. This year, teachers Kristi Spengler and Brooke Turnbough have also volunteered to help continue the effort. These teachers will head up the project, but are joined by the entire school community in their efforts to send care packages to the troops
From November 11 to 22, community members wishing to donate items to soldiers overseas should bring them during school hours to Grand Prairie Elementary School, 10480 W. Nebraska in Frankfort. Items should be provided in small sizes that soldiers could easily carry.Suggested items include Christmas stockings, Christmas candy, individually wrapped chocolate candy wrapped, individually wrapped hard candies or twizzlers, individually wrapped beef jerky, new DVD’s, lip balm (Chapstick), AA or AAA batteries, dental floss/floss picks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, travel size men’s body, wash and foot powder, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, individually wrapped snacks like granola bars, peanuts, cereal bars, tick-tacs, lifesavers, mints, gum, individual cold drink mix packets, individual coffee/tea packets, peanut butter in 28 oz or less plastic jars only, jelly in 32 oz or less plastic jars only, socks, puzzle books, snacks like goldfish or cookies, baby wipes and decks of cards or hand-held games.
Funding the cost of postage to mail the packages is an annual challenge. This year three popsicle sales will be held during the lunch hour with proceeds going to the effort. Community members who wish to help defray postage costs can send a check made out to Frankfort School District 157-C and mail it to 10482 W. Nebraska, Frankfort, IL 60423, marked “Care Packages for the Troops.” Donations may be tax-deductible; please consult your tax accountant regarding your donation. More information is with the school at 815-469-3366.
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