NEWS

LG Matos visits Park View for Operation Holiday Cheer

By STEPHANIE BERNABA
Posted 11/8/22

Just after noon on Oct. 26, a group of Park View Middle School eighth graders handed homemade cards and artwork created by their classmates to Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, to be sent to members …

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NEWS

LG Matos visits Park View for Operation Holiday Cheer

Posted

Just after noon on Oct. 26, a group of Park View Middle School eighth graders handed homemade cards and artwork created by their classmates to Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, to be sent to members of the U.S. military stationed in the Middle East.

Operation Holiday Cheer – which is run by the Lt. Governor’s office in partnership with the Rhode Island National Guard Family Assistance Center, the US Postal Service, Rhode Island Red Cross, Rhode Island Blue Star Moms, and Operation Stand Down Rhode Island – is busy in October, collecting goods and assembling care packages for U.S. troops.

Creating cards for the troops has been a tradition at Park View for the past nine years (with a brief hiatus for Covid), and Social Studies teachers Ann Marie Torres and Lloyd Bochner have been coordinating the effort the whole time. Torres explained that the letters, once received by the Lt. Governor’s office, are placed with care packages assembled for the troops and shipped overseas.

She said both teachers feel this project is special and important, and they’re both grateful to present the task to students since in-person schooling has resumed. Though they generally hear little after the letters are handed off, Torres did receive a thank you letter a few years back from an Air Force Major, which she reads to students prior to the project, to help them understand how much the soldiers appreciate the gesture.

Torres explained that creating the cards and letters have been a tradition for the school, but distance learning and other interruptions due to the pandemic have caused the student body to lose its connection with the project. Both she and Bochner were pleased that they were able to bring the practice back to life this year.

Bochner says he folds the cards into his teaching about Veterans Day, which he delivers both in class and via video, and hopes to impress upon his students the sacrifices each soldier makes.

“You end up with a few kids crying, and it’s very emotional,” Bochner said, “but it basically says, ‘Hey, there’s a reason why we do this. These people are protecting our freedom.’”

Bochner said he felt this year was special as Lt. Governor Matos came to collect the cards in person, which has never happened before. He also shared that the project helps to promote and enhance the Veterans Day 5K Park View Middle School coordinates each year.

Eighth-grader Grace Petitbon created a card shaped like an Army fatigue jacket. She colored it in camouflage and added notes to both the outside pocket and the inside. Petitbon said she spent about two and half hours on the card, and that the project meant a lot to her because her grandfather fought in the Vietnam War. She also shared that he was granted a vacation while on duty during the war, and chose to take the vacation, which essentially saved his life. Petitbon explained that the tower her grandfather had worked in was blown up during his absence.

“I wrote a letter saying thank you for your service, and you risk so much for our freedom,” Lexi Montalban said. “And leaving your family must have been really hard, so you should be proud of yourself. And you’re strong, and please come home safe.”

Cohen Brinker also shared that his grandfather served in the Vietnam War, his grandfather fought in World War II, and his uncle served, but did not go to war. He said he was excited for the cards and letters to reach their destinations.

The care packages (around 350), which include snacks, playing cards, socks, personal care items, and, of course, Park View eighth graders’ cards and letters, were assembled and shipped overseas during the weekend of Oct. 29-30.

The ninth annual Park View Middle School Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kids Run, to bring honor and recognition to Veterans Day, will take place on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at Roger Williams Park across from Park View Middle School.

Matos, Park

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