Paint Project
JACKSON TWP — Servicemen and women deployed overseas need a lot of things from home including toiletries and snacks and even a bit of color to brighten up an otherwise drab Kuwaiti base.
So Seneca Valley High School students painted bold designs, landscapes and inspiring words in vivid colors on more than 90 rocks Friday.
The rocks will be sent overseas with more ordinary supplies by the end of the month.
Fifty 10- and 12th-graders in Carrie Ehrenberger's leadership and career development classes partnered with the Chicora-based Hero's Angels group to paint rocks to send to troops serving in Kuwait.
The students' efforts are intended to help send color to a desert environment that is very barren and monochromatic.
“We got about 90 rocks from a landscaping company in a variety of sizes. Some are big and round. Others are a little smaller,” Ehrenberger said. “They will be going to a rock garden in Kuwait.”
Ehrenberger said the rocks will be painted “in all different colors. The students have to come up with an appropriate design and message.”
These classes initiated a project to provide for soldiers in need. Their mission is to “provide care packages to symbolize our appreciation to the men and women who volunteer to serve in our armed forces; to support, honor and thank them for the commitment they made to serve our country,” according to Ehrenberger.
Ehrenberger said two members of the Army National Guard, Sgt. First Class Matthew Martin and Sgt. Johnathan Dececchis, joined the students in their rock-painting efforts.
“I feel giving back is so important. We take advantage of the little things in life that others greatly need,” said Taylar Nackrelli, a sophomore. “That's why doing these activities such as painting rocks and creating care packages is very meaningful and special.
“As a leadership student, I am so thankful to take part in this to help make others happy.”
Donata Massimiani, also a sophomore, said, “People of America typically don't take action until something catastrophic happens. Soldiers are fighting for our freedom every single day, and we should be giving back as much as we can. When bad things happen they help us so we should help them.”
In addition, the Seneca Valley High School and intermediate school are in the middle for a two-week campaign to collect supplies — toiletries, toothbrushes, snacks, sunscreen and even toys for the military working dogs — organized by Ehrenberger.
She said the effort ends Oct. 16, and donations will be sorted into care packages and delivered to Carrie Young's Hero's Angels organization.
Young, who started the group a little over a year ago, said the care packages will be sent to an undisclosed base in Africa for distribution to troops coming and going from the base.
“We're going to send them to Africa where various teams of Army and Navy pass through,” said Young.
The rocks and dog toys are bound for Kuwait.
“We expect to ship them out by the end of October,” Young said. “It takes a little time to get the boxes organized.”
Junior Julie Kopp said, “I believe that collecting donations and painting rocks is just a small way to give back to the soldiers fighting for us right now. There are soldiers who are doing things to help us, fighting for our freedom, and fighting for our country.
“By painting rocks, we are doing something to put a smile on their faces. I believe that doing these things is a very important way to give back,” Kopp said.
Both Ehrenberger and Young said in addition to supplies, Hero's Angels accepts monetary contributions to pay for shipping costs.
