Youth Advisory Board Sends Cards of Support

To NYC

By Tanjua Damon

The Newtown Middle School Youth Advisory Board (MYSYAB) created cards of compassion to send to send to families of victims and the fire companies and police officers who are cleaning up the debris from the September 11 tragedy.

The students took time to create cards and poems as part of National Kids Care Week, October 21-27, which is dedicated to recognizing the power of kids to reach out and help others in their community and nation. MSYAB is facilitated by Newtown Youth Services.

The middle school students were pleased that they were able to do something to help put a smile on someone’s face or send a card so that people know that there are others who are supporting them.

“I felt good that we were doing something for New York. I hope they feel good and read my poem and think that it came from my heart,” Conor Sherman said. “It just kind of came to mind putting all the things that happened into a poem. It helped me feel happy instead of mad. I’m hoping it calmed people down about it. I think it helps people a lot thinking and putting down ideas.”

Abby Atkinson also felt the cards of compassion was a good idea to show unity and support for the families of victims and the volunteers who have spent countless hours going through the rubble.

“I thought it was really nice. It made me feel really good after making them. It made me feel a part of it,” Abby said. “I didn’t want to make anyone feel sad or upset. I wanted them to feel happy and that we’re all together in this and they are not alone.”

The students wanted to give the families hope with their cards of compassion.

“I thought it was a good idea to do because when you lose a parent, it’s hard, and it’s nice to see the support you have around you,” Tara Meehan said. “When you receive support from other people you don’t know I think it’s helpful.”

Creating cards of compassion also provided the students who were not directly impacted by the tragedy a chance to express themselves and an opportunity to help someone with kind words.

Dana Happel said, “I know how I felt when everything happened. Just knowing that you helped somebody else helped me feel better.”

In New York City, some 400 of the estimated 5,000 missing or dead are firefighters or police officers. At the Pentagon, the Army and Navy lost 116 people of the 190 who perished. Anyone wishing to send a card of compassion may do so by mailing it to Kids Care Clubs Helping Hands, Points of Light Foundation, 382 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem, NY 10590.