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Jamie Jewell knows the value of a handwritten note in the hands of a soldier who’s far from home. She learned it well when her brother served as a Marine in Iraq, an experience which prompted Jewell and her children to take action. Together with her son and daughter, 8-year-old Brayden, and 10-year-old Morgan, Jewell launched a community project last year to make and collect cards and letters from local kids to send to troops serving overseas.
“This project means a lot to us,” said Jewell. “My children and I wanted to find a way to help the soldiers and let them know that we are thinking of them during the holidays. We realize the sacrifice that they and their families are making.”
Last year the trio sent over 100 cards and a few large boxes of donations to Baghram, Afghanistan.
“Since we were so successful, we have decided to make this an annual event and have named it ‘Operation Send a Smile.’”
This year they enlisted the help of three 5th grade classrooms, a 3rd grade classroom, and cub scout Pack #61 to make cards and letters. With the success of this year’s venture, Victor school staff members expressed interest in making it an entire grade level project next year.
“We had 300 cards and letters this year, thanks to all of the kids who worked so hard on them,” said Jewell. “Some kids even went home and made more to send. I also requested donations of items to send in care packages along with the cards.”
Jewell and her family received donations of books, magazines, DVDs, hygiene products, snacks, and candies, all of which will be sent to Baghram to be distributed through the Red Cross.
“I received a letter last year from the Red Cross thanking us and explaining where it was sent,” said Jewell. “They also told me about a ‘Wounded Warrior Care Center’ where wounded soldiers can go to relax, watch a movie, read a book, have popcorn or fresh bread. This was so moving to myself and my children that I am now in the process of setting up a charity organization so that this can grow and we can help make more of a difference.”
Individuals or business owners who wish to help with shipping costs are invited to sponsor Operation Send a Smile. For information contact marchbaby21@hotmail.com.
Jamie Jewell knows the value of a handwritten note in the hands of a soldier who’s far from home. She learned it well when her brother served as a Marine in Iraq, an experience which prompted Jewell and her children to take action. Together with her son and daughter, 8-year-old Brayden, and 10-year-old Morgan, Jewell launched a community project last year to make and collect cards and letters from local kids to send to troops serving overseas.
“This project means a lot to us,” said Jewell. “My children and I wanted to find a way to help the soldiers and let them know that we are thinking of them during the holidays. We realize the sacrifice that they and their families are making.”
Last year the trio sent over 100 cards and a few large boxes of donations to Baghram, Afghanistan.
“Since we were so successful, we have decided to make this an annual event and have named it ‘Operation Send a Smile.’”
This year they enlisted the help of three 5th grade classrooms, a 3rd grade classroom, and cub scout Pack #61 to make cards and letters. With the success of this year’s venture, Victor school staff members expressed interest in making it an entire grade level project next year.
“We had 300 cards and letters this year, thanks to all of the kids who worked so hard on them,” said Jewell. “Some kids even went home and made more to send. I also requested donations of items to send in care packages along with the cards.”
Jewell and her family received donations of books, magazines, DVDs, hygiene products, snacks, and candies, all of which will be sent to Baghram to be distributed through the Red Cross.
“I received a letter last year from the Red Cross thanking us and explaining where it was sent,” said Jewell. “They also told me about a ‘Wounded Warrior Care Center’ where wounded soldiers can go to relax, watch a movie, read a book, have popcorn or fresh bread. This was so moving to myself and my children that I am now in the process of setting up a charity organization so that this can grow and we can help make more of a difference.”
Individuals or business owners who wish to help with shipping costs are invited to sponsor Operation Send a Smile. For information contact marchbaby21@hotmail.com.
