Just in time for Veterans Day this month, students in the Mattituck-Cutchogue school district worked to collect supplies to send to troops overseas — and more donations are always needed.
Bob Duffin, in conjunction with Brookhaven Veterans Association’s Adopt A Platoon program, conducted a drive to collect supplies needed by troops.
In the school district, Duffin said, three moms spearheaded the effort, with each grade assigned a different item to bring in for the troops, from wipes, to baby powder, toothpaste, underwear and socks.
Mattituck High School’s Community Service Organization also collected items, including footballs and basketballs, for the troops, who also received turkey dinners to those stationed overseas.
Duffin said the troops are in dire need of packages from home. “I’m not beyond begging,” he said, adding that even ketchup, mayonnaise or mustard help spice up the bland rations troops are given.
In addition, at Mattituck’s board of education meeting last week, students who had dads stationed overseas spoke.
Ethan, a kindergarten students whose father is in the Air Force and will return home in December, said, showed photos of his father jumping from a plane, and one taken on Veterans dDay. Thank you for being brave,” he said.
Colin and Trevor, twins whose father is also serving in the Air Force, said their class sent cards and candy bags for Halloween.
Both men will come to speak to the children’s classes when they return from their most recent tours of duty.
Mattituck Board of Education President Gerard Diffley thanked the children for speaking and their mothers. “We hope your dads will be safe and home soon and we thank your mothers, who have dual responsibilities now. If there is anything we can do to help you, let us know,” he said.
Brookhaven Lab’s Adopt A Platoon program is a sub-committee of the Brookhaven Veterans Association. For information on how you can volunteer or to see a list of items needed for troops, click here.
