From Reed Intermediate School To Iraq, With Love

By Larissa Lytwyn

Like many parents, Reed Intermediate School sixth grade teacher Kim Calero thinks about her son every day.

But Christopher Calero leads a life far different from many of his peers. The 24-year-old currently serves as a 1st lieutenant in the Air Force.

As flight commander, Lt Calero is responsible for the welfare of a 72-member crew currently stationed in an undisclosed location off the coast of Afghanistan.

“We keep in touch every few weeks, through phone or email,” said Ms Calero. “Recently he was telling me about how much the troop appreciates letters and notes of encouragement [sent by civilians].”

Teaming with fellow teachers Lara Mace, Mardi Smith, and Jim Roodhuyzen, Ms Calero conducted a two-week supplies drive for her students dubbed “Operation Shoebox.”

“I acquired a wish list from my son and we went on from there,” said Ms Calero. “We had the idea of using a shoebox to fill with a variety of items, from letters to supplies such as soap, shampoo, handiwipes — whatever they could.”

“The response we received from the students was absolutely amazing!” declared Ms Mace. “The day after Ms Calero shared her story about her son, the kids were bringing in all kinds of things!”

Both Ms Smith and Ms Mace noted that the fierce spirit and excitement the children had to help.

“Each student was paired with a soldier to write to,” explained Ms Smith, “and a lot of the students wrote to each others’ friends’ soldiers, too. It was remarkable.”

Ms Calero credited the assistance of Century 21 and Newtown Storage for supplying funds and boxes for packaging and shipping purposes.

In addition, VFW Post 308 donated phone cards to the troops.

“Another particularly touching story was when two students went to Costco to buy supplies [for the soldiers],” said Ms Calero. “Apparently, when they told Costco [management] what they were doing, Costco provided them with a $25 gift certificate to use. It was amazing!”

“Some students brought in extra postage to make sure that the boxes would get to the soldiers all right,” added Ms Smith.

“We have about a total of 70 boxes,” said Ms Calero. “It was really just an enormous effort on the part of everyone.”

While the mail system in the war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan area can be notoriously difficult to navigate, Ms Calero said that specifying the name of a particular soldier or troop was the best way to send supplies to the men and women serving abroad.

“We really wanted to make sure the soldiers received our packages by Thanksgiving,” said Ms Calero, “especially considering that they won’t be home for the holidays.”

Included in the packages, she said, were several Thanksgiving signs and decorations.

Several of Ms Calero’s students talked about how encouraging it was to send supplies to troops, particularly since they “knew” someone — Ms Calero’s son.

“It definitely makes it more personal,” said one student, Melissa Charles, who said she sent letters to soldiers encouraging them to write back.

Derek Cruson and Alex Saviano worked together on a shoebox, filling it with toiletries and letters.

“I have a neighbor and know some family friends [serving in Iraq and Afghanistan], too” said Derek. “Doing this project really makes it all personal.”

“I really liked writing to the soldiers,” said sixth grader Josh Barrett. “I wanted them to know that we’re thinking about them, that they are cared about!”

Chris Haylon, who said his mother’s cousin is currently serving in the marines, and fellow student Alexandra Grant said that some of the children sent toys, including golf balls and Frisbees.

“Ms Calero said that the soldiers don’t have the chance to play different games or anything,” said Alexandra. “So, when they want to relax, now they have some games they can play.”

“Seeing everyone together to see this project through, especially in such a short period of time, was really great,” said Ms Calero. “I really wanted to do it quietly, just get it done, and it’s amazing how that was so possible with the assistance of so many people! It’s all very special.”