Grand Prairie Elementary School pre-kindergarten through second grade students, families and staff 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, Brooke Turnbough, Susie Corkery and Yvonne Winkler 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, chocolate candy (individually wrapped,) hard candies, twizzlers (individually wrapped,) beef jerky (individually wrapped,) new DVDs, lip balm (Chapstick,) AA or AAA batteries, dental floss/floss picks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, men’s body wash, foot powder (travel size,) travel size shampoo, conditioner, lotion (like what you get at a hotel,) individually wrapped snacks, granola bars, peanuts, cereal bars, Tic-Tacs/lifesavers/mints, gum, individual cold drink mix and coffee/tea packets, peanut butter (28 ounces or less in plastic jars only,) jelly (32 ounces or less in plastic jars only,) socks (white only with NO Logos,) puzzle books, snacks like Goldfish or cookies, baby wipes, decks of cards and hand-held games.
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Funding the cost of postage to mail the packages is an annual challenge. Community members who wish to support our troops by helping to 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.
