Assemblyman and school to collect donations
By:Josh Appelbaum
The Cranbury School student council is helping to make sure New Jersey National Guard members stationed in Iraq can get in touch with their sweethearts for Valentine’s Day.
As part of Spirit Week at the Cranbury School, the student council will host a dance Jan. 21, with proceeds going to buy telephone calling cards to be distributed to New Jersey troops. Admission to the dance is $5, and is open to students in grades six through eight.
The student council got the idea after reading about Assemblyman Bill Baroni’s holiday gift basket drive, which sent packs of chewing gum, candy, phone cards, toiletries and books to troops.
Mr. Baroni, whose legislative district includes Cranbury, said phone service available to troops in Iraq is spotty at best, and expensive around holidays.
"This is an example of young people putting in the time and effort in buying phone cards. It is a remarkable expression for our troops. I can tell you from the initial drop off of cards to New Jersey National Guard troops, it makes a huge difference," Mr. Baroni said.
The student council will present the cards to Mr. Baroni on Feb. 1. They will be delivered to National Guard troops before Valentine’s Day.
In addition, Mr. Baroni will attend the Jan. 21 dance to thank students for their efforts.
"I think this is the first time I’ve been invited to an eighth-grade dance, and that includes when I myself was in eighth grade," Mr. Baroni said. "But the credit really goes to the students at Cranbury School. I wish that everyone in New Jersey could see what these kids are doing."
Mr. Baroni said the students’ efforts reach across thousands of miles, and help bring young families together.
"I know we’ve got couples that were recently married and are now separated, and it’s a big deal for them to get in contact with each other," he said.
Although he said people of all ages in central Jersey are helping out troops in combat, Mr. Baroni is especially impressed with the young Cranburians’ efforts.
"Cranbury is a unique and special community. When they see a need, they do everything they can to help out," Mr. Baroni said.