Happy New Year from home!

Crissman Elementary students did their part to welcome the new year for U.S. service men and women.

The school collected four large packages - weighing more than 100 pounds combined - of baked goods and non-perishables for service personnel on a Navy destroyer and an overseas Air Force base.

Fifth-grade teacher Cheri Cosnowski - who has a brother-in-law serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force - coordinated the donations with teachers Brian Kirsh and Kevin Clarkston.

“When talking to my brother-in-law the one thing he says everyone misses the most - other than family - is homemade items,” Cosnowski said.

Along with the care packages, students wrote letters and thank you cards to express gratitude and support.

Last year, Crissman received a thank you from overseas soldiers in the form of a certificate and an American flag. The flag was flown on a drone combat mission on July 12.

The flag and certificate are displayed in Mrs. Cosnowski’s classroom.