Mission Accomplished

To the Editor:

Last month, I had a dream: to bring smiles and love to the men and women of the 40th Air Expeditionary Group who are deployed in support of Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Operation Shoebox: Adopt a Soldier was born. I received overwhelming support and generosity from the families of my sixth grade cluster, of Georgia Smith and Lara Mace’s fifth grade cluster, and from many friends. Within two weeks, I had care packages for all 72 airmen filled with letters, goodies, smiles, essentials, and love.

The next daunting task was preparing the boxes for shipping. Thank you to Newtown Self-Storage for coming through with their generous gift of sturdy boxes. I want to thank Matt Brown, Lara Mace, Bob Smith, and Georgia Smith for the hours they spent with me accomplishing this huge job. I so appreciate their encouragement and time.

Shipping was my next hurdle. I want to thank our postmaster, Rich, and postal employee, Barbara, for their kindness and expertise. The sight of 13 huge boxes needing to be shipped was overwhelming! And then came the postage; many families sent in donations to help defray the postage. Debra and Louis Altieri dropped by with a very generous gift, in memory of their relative. Bob Smith from Century 21 also understood my considerable shortage. Without my asking, Century 21 came to my rescue! They would fund the remaining $420 needed! I truly cannot believe the compassion and brotherhood of our community.

I extend my thanks to everyone who supported my dream. Operation Shoebox: Adopt a Soldier, mission accomplished! I received word from the 40th Air Expeditionary Group that all 13 boxes arrived safely. Word has it, Christmas came early this year for these men and women, as they explored and celebrated the love Newtown, Conn., had sent them.

God Bless,

Kim Calero

5 Roosevelt Drive, Newtown                                   November 23, 2004