BLANCHESTER — Students and staff at Putman Elementary in Blanchester recently collected items for members of the armed forces currently serving our country.
Students and the community donated items from businesses including Skyline Chili, Gold Star Chili, Frisch’s and Grippo’s to help give the soldiers a taste of home. Other items, such as playing cards, toiletries and letters from students, were also added to the packages.
“Not only did the students and their families contribute to the project, but the community reached out to help as well,” said second-grade teacher Mary Looney. “We didn’t ask for assistance from companies, so we were amazed that they heard about the drive and simply wanted to help.”
The Allen Company of Blanchester donated cases of CamelBak water bottles to be added to the packages, American Showa Inc. made a monetary contribution to assist with shipping expenses, First National Bank employees collected and donated items and the Blanchester American Legion also helped by giving addresses of soldiers with local roots and provided additional support for shipping expenses.
Keith Maupin of the Clermont County Yellow Ribbon Support Center assisted the students by picking up the collected items, organizing them into boxes and shipping them to our local heroes serving across the world.
“Mr. Maupin was very helpful in giving us advice with the project,” said second-grade teacher Kate Slusher. “It is incredible what a community can do when we all work together.”
“Putman Elementary staff would like to thank the community, as well as Mr. Maupin, for all the support they have provided in preparing care packages for the service men and women from our community,” said Putman Principal Mike Snider. “Our students want to thank those men and women for their bravery and dedication to our country.”
