Youth send special packages overseas

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
November 25, 2004

POCAHONTAS/ROLFE - Troops in Iraq will be getting a special surprise from the ninth grade students of Resurrection of Our Lord in Pocahontas and St. Margaret in Rolfe who recently made care packages for them on Nov. 17.

The 24 students raised money for the items sent in the care package by holding a cluster coffee hosted in Pocahontas for both Resurrection and St. Margaret parishioners.

"The coffee raised $250," noted Carolyn Pudenz, youth minister.

"The money was used to buy items for the troops in Iraq such as sanitary wipes, decks of cards, applesauce, pudding, bandages and deodorant."

Some other items included in the packages were candy, gum, combs and brushes, nuts, razors and nail clippers. The students wrote cards for the troops and included some magazines and puzzle books. All of the packages were mailed on Nov. 22.

Angela Wasko, ninth grader who helped with the project, said putting the packages together made her appreciate how much she had compared to those who are overseas.

"People are away from their home, fighting for our country and it's the little things that we can do that can make a big difference in their day," Wasko said. "The projects made me realize that my bad days are nothing compared to the conditions they are living in and that we take for granted what we have over here."

Allison Bindel, ninth grader who helped with the project, also said the project helped her realize how much she has to be thankful for in life.

"It helped me personally by realizing no matter how bad things get for you, people are always supporting you and it made me realize that things like a care packages are a good way to show you care," Bindel said. "It also helped my faith because I felt like I was helping someone who really needed it."

Pudenz credits Jane Schott and Jada Hallberg, freshmen catechists, for their involvement with the project. Schott and Hallberg also included a note in the care packages explaining how the youth raised the money for the items.

The students were the ones who initially brainstormed the idea to send the care packages. Zach Beekman, one of the freshmen who helped with the project, said this was just one way he thought the group could show their support.

"I think it's important to participate in events like putting together a care package because it shows them (troops) we care for them," Beekman noted. "There is someone out there that knows them and is looking after them. The work put into the packages added or helped my faith because of all the money and items that were donated. The people of our churches were behind us all the way."

Jarrod Schott also helped with the project. He said he thought the care packages not only helped others, but also helped his faith in God.

"It makes you feel like you did something good for someone else," Schott noted. "All the work helped my faith because it makes you feel like you can do anything with the help of God."

Although the group hasn't participated in this type of service before, they have hosted food drives and collected different items for many local groups.

"They took a lot of ownership in the project," said Pudenz. "They were so excited and pleased to be hosting a coffee. The students were looking for some kind of service. They really wanted to do something."