Giving Contagious In Fairfax

[Henry]

Giving contagious in Fairfax

Once floundering effort for troops sails to success

By LISA M. BOUCHER, St. Albans Messenger Correspondent
Published In The Weekend Edition Of The St. Albans Messenger - December 16, 2007

FAIRFAX — Noticing that a box set up for troop donations at the Union Bank in Fairfax had remained empty for some time, local businessman Chris Santee decided to be proactive and do something about it.

Soliciting the help of Brenda Paradee, a fourth grade para-educator at Bellows Free Academy, Fairfax Elementary, Santee -- editor of Fairfax News, president of TwoKidsToys.com and FranklinOne.com and Habitat for Humanity board member -- first collected a number of cards that the students made.

He also ordered candy from Fairfax Pharmacy.

The spirit of giving in Fairfax became contagious after that. Rick Hogle, Fairfax Pharmacy owner, made a matching donation also to send to troops.

Steeple Market and Minor's Country store also contributed to the box of treats.

"I was in the U.S. Navy in the 70's on an aircraft carrier flight deck," said Santee. "I remember how good a package from home can feel."

Other local businesses making a contribution included, Rainville & Sons, the L-Team Car Wash, and Norman Blais, Esq.

"The response was very positive which pleasantly surprised me," said Santee "(It was) community coming together to show support."

Paradee credits teachers, Courtney Boutin and Kathleen Collaro for allowing time for the students to make the cards. "I told them to keep the cards positive," she said, remembering when her husband was serving in Iraq a few years ago. "They really want a reminder of Vermont."

The packages were sent Dec. 6, by Union Bank employee from Stowe, Robyn Masi. The effort continues as more packages are being collected from Fletcher Elementary,  Georgia Elementary and Middle School, as well as St Luke's Catholic Church in Fairfax.

According to Karen Langelier, owner of the L-Team Car Wash, who also teaches ninth grade religion classes at the church, toiletries, socks and cash have been collected at the parish to send overseas, as well as specific contributions from the students in her class.

"I wanted the kids to each use their own money to buy an item for the box," said Langelier. "I felt it was an important lesson - - the troops are sacrificing for us, they could sacrifice a little, too. I didn't want them to just donate something their mother had picked up for them at the grocery store, so they had to really think about it and choose something from a list."

Langelier's eldest son was the Navy and served in Iraq. His former unit has been deployed once more. She anticipates sending the donated items to those servicemen, too.

[Chris Santee]

The troops wrote back:

Department of the Army
Troop B, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
FOB Falcon APO AE 09361
 
To: BFA Fairfax Elementary School
Dear Mrs. Breen,
On behalf of the officers and troopers of B/1-4 Cavalry (BANDITS) I want to thank you and your entire class for the wonderful holiday cards. My troopers conduct missions every day in Baghdad which is substantially more often than soldiers have in previous conflicts. Often times some think that no one seems to notice how hard they work or the risks they are taking. Personally, I can't thank you enough for showing my brave men that someone at home cares about our sacrifice. The cards that your students made were a joy for my men to read, they are hung on men's doors and all over the walls of my barracks, thank you and give your students a special thank you from me personally. Please let them know that their project was greatly received and brightened the holiday season for my troopers.
Shane T. Sandretto
CPT, IN
Commanding