Skills USA Toy Drive

Published Decemeber 18, 2008

Second grade students at Scales Elementary School are helping to lift the spirits of United States soldiers serving in Iraq. The children recently collected more than 10 pounds of left-over Halloween candy and shipped it to soldiers stationed in Baghdad.

The effort was part of an annual service project by the second grade students at Scales. "It was wonderful to see the children bringing in bag after bag," says Scales Elementary teacher Sue Ellen Landa. "We ended up with 17 boxes of candy!"

The boxes were sent to Colonel Elliott Bales, whose cousin has a daughter at Scales. In a letter to his cousin, Colonel Bales writes, "The troopers are loving the candy. You have brought a smile and a moment of happiness to each of us."

According to Colonel Bales, the United States Army even found a special way to honor the students' generosity. "As a result of the school's incredible support of our troops," writes Colonel Bales. "The Director of Operations CJ3 has directed that a flag be flown over the US Embassy in honor of Scales Elementary School."

In addition to sending candy, the students at Scales also wrote letters to Colonel Bales and asked him about the war and about the daily activities of soldiers in Iraq. Colonel Bales responded by telling the students how the United States Army is helping to rebuild the country and make it safer for Iraqi families.

As for the students at Scales, this experience has taught them the importance of reaching out to the men and women who risk their lives for our freedom. It's a lesson their teacher is happy her students have learned. "This has been a fantastic learning experience for all of us."