School provides sweet support for troops
By Chris Donahue
Staff writer
EDISON — The rigors of a military career have been made more palatable for scores of soldiers around the world thanks to a program started three years ago at Bishop George Ahr High School.
Several times each school year, students volunteer to collect and pack candy and other items for military personnel serving in Iraq.
Donations picked up considerably after the diocesan Home School Association selected Sweet Donations to be its charitable project for this school year, said Mary Hopke, an HSA board member whose daughter, Holly, is a freshman at Bishop Ahr.
“Last year we collected items such as scarves, mittens and gloves for homeless shelters,” Hopke said. “This year the board talked about helping the military because of all they have to go through.”
When the HSA selects a program, donations are collected from schools at the annual winter meeting for HSA representatives. Among the items collected were candy, paperback books, baby wipes, puzzle books, gum, personal items, cough drops, letters, games and other items.
The largest donation came from St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral School, Metuchen, where Hopke’s son, Peter, is a fifth-grader. The school provided more than 500 pounds, which made it the winner of the diocesan HSA raffle, Hopke said.
Created in 2004, Sweet Donations encourages students and teachers to donate candy, toiletries, puzzle books, home baked bars and other items for gift packages that are shipped to service men and women in Iraq.
In addition, students write letters that update the soldiers about life back home and thank them for their service.
At packing parties, which are held about five times during the school year, at least 60 boxes are filled and sent to the soldiers, Felician Sister Cynthia Marie Babyak said. The last packing party was held March 26.
“I love getting the letters back and finding out how they enjoy the packages and sometimes they will send pictures,” said Bishop Ahr junior Katy Roche of East Brunswick.
Sophomore Paul Muniz’s brother, Joseph, is an Army sergeant who served 18 months in Afghanistan.
“The soldiers have a special place in my heart and it’s nice to give them the luxuries they don’t get,” Muniz said. “They like the Bishop Ahr T-shirts the best. No one gets as personal as we do with the T-shirts and the letters.”
To submit a soldier’s name or to find out how you can get involved, call Sister Cynthia at (732) 549–1108, ext. 648.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law