Cards for military/veterans

BERGHOLZ -- John Gregg Elementary School is once again bringing smiles to brighten up the holidays for soldiers and senior citizens through the Operation Christmas Cards program. Melissa Huggins, a visual impairment aide at the school, is leading this year's activity, which began at Halloween. Now, there are hundreds of cards that have been created by students and will be sent to those in the armed forces and veterans residing in area nursing homes.

"We had about 2,500 cards," Huggins stated. "I packed a total of 64 envelopes for members of the military and I am sending cards to 10 local nursing homes."

She initially sent fliers home with students and posted them to social media on the district's website, as well as her own. People could provide the addresses of active military members in need of a card to those sites, she noted.

Preschoolers and kindergarteners colored and signed prepared cards. First- through sixth graders decorated cards, adding their own personal messages. Huggins has organized the event the last two years. The concept is significant to her as her son, Hunter, is an active duty flight medic in the Army, stationed in Alabama.

"I come from a military family and my father, grandfather, son and his wife have served, so I think it's very important that the military members have something from home," Huggins commented.

"I think the kids really enjoy it," she said. "I put a letter with the packet explaining what this is and ask military members to text or e-mail pictures. Last year, I received a lot of responses from the military and replies from the nursing homes."