Aschool-wide effort to support American troops serving overseas and the father of one of their own at the Marlboro Elementary School recently led to more than nine boxes of supplies being shipped to Afghanistan.
Students and volunteers at the Marlboro Elementary School help pack supplies that were collected for American troops who are serving overseas. Fifth-graders at the Marlboro school coordinated the community service project The entire school took part in a community service project to collect items for U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff Cantor, who is currently serving in Afghanistan. Cantor is a member of the Marlboro Township Council.
Fifth-grade teacher Jessica Weingroff said when she learned that Cantor’s daughter, Nicole, 10, was going to be in her class, the idea of helping out the girl’s father came to her.
“It was a great way of integrating community service by helping out those in our own community,” Weingroff said.
PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Fifth-graders at the school coordinated the collection.
Parent volunteers Robin Ball and Claire McGuiness got in touch with Cantor’s wife, Ava, to see what items Cantor and his troops needed. The response was a list of seemingly simple items such as lip balm, toothpaste and plain cotton T-shirts.
“It’s easy for us to go to the store, but it is not for easy” for people who are serving overseas to do that, Ball said.
The list of requested items was divided among all of the homerooms in the Marlboro Elementary School. On top of the essential items that were requested, the troops also asked for American flags and calling cards to be sent to Afghanistan.
In the week leading up to packing day, Nicole made an announcement to remind the students about the supply drive, Weingroff said.
Families were also asked to donate children’s picture books or small stuffed animals for the American soldiers to distribute to youngsters in Afghanistan, Weingroff said.
Resident Sandy Buccine donated a large bag that was overflowing with Beanie Babies on behalf of her daughter, Ally.
On Feb. 23 the entire fifth grade, assisted by parent volunteers, took the donations which covered several tables and packed them up for the long journey around the world.
Ava Cantor and Samantha Cantor, 12, were on hand to see the results of the collection effort that was held on Jeff Cantor’s behalf.
As the children readied the packages, Ava Cantor thanked them for all of their hard work and for all the items they donated. She said that while the items may seem like simple things, they would help to make the soldiers feel more comfortable in their present environment.
The cost to ship packages of this size to Afghanistan could be a large amount, but the Marlboro Elementary School was lucky. A parent who wished to remain anonymous donated the cost of shipping all of the items overseas.
The collection’s organizers were extremely grateful for that individual’s generous donation.
When reached by email Jeff Cantor said, “I am honored and touched that so many people from Marlboro took the time to think of us over here and donated so many items. They will all come in very handy. There is such a great feeling and sense of community with everyone at Marlboro Elementary.
“I am humbled that people took the time to donate items to us. I am so very lucky to live in such a great community with so many great people. I am looking forward to receiving the packages and giving out all of the donated materials. I look forward to seeing everyone when I get back. I would just like to say thank you to everyone who took the time to think of us over here.”