McKean Students Support Troops in a Collection Drive

MCKEAN, PA (March 5, 2015) -- This month, McKean Elementary Challenge Students are collecting items to include in care packages to military personnel currently deployed overseas. 

This initiative is a service project that is an annual part of the Challenge Program. McKean students who are involved in the Challenge Program are students who have been identified as intellectually gifted.

According to Melissa Bean, McKean Elementary Gifted Support Teacher, the process is student driven.  

"We discuss groups that may need assistance, investigate potential charities, and consider how our school might be able to help," Bean said. "This year, our students liked the idea of sending care packages to deployed troop.  We found an organization, Operation Gratitude, that will incorporate our donations into care packages sent overseas."

Items include toiletries, stationery supplies, entertainment activities and food items. All items will be shipped to an organization called Operation Gratitude, which sends over 100,000 care packages to deployed troops each year.

Donation boxes will be outside each classroom through March 27 and outside donations are accepted. For a complete listing of items, please visit the Lancer Life Blog at students.generalmclane.org. 

Past projects included an adoption drive for the top five animals hurt by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a collection drive for the ANNA Shelter and Humane Society, and fundraisers for the Wounded Warrior Project and American Cancer Society.

Please help our students in this project and support our troops!