PLATTSBURGH — Amy Whitbeck, a Pre-K teacher at YMCA Bright Beginnings in Plattsburgh, found the perfect way to get rid of the mountain of sugar in her house post-Halloween.
“I found Operation Shoebox just kind of glancing around on the internet, just trying to find something because I figured we could do something with all this leftover Halloween candy that we had at the house, right,” she said.
“I was like we need to get rid of this candy. I looked it up and I found this operation, and it’s nonprofit and they take donations and especially around holiday time, they take leftover Halloween candy. So, I got my class involved and we got the entire center and my class, the parents donated their leftover Halloween candy.”
A humongous basket full of sweets and snacks and treats was collected.
“And then, we have another whole box completely full of snacks and candy and other stuff,” Whitbeck said.
“My kids wrote letters to the troops, and they also drew pictures for the troops. So, we are making it a big package, and we’re going to send it to Operation Shoebox and they send it out to the troops that are deployed.
“My whole entire class took part. The thing that kind of makes it really neat is one of the children in my class, Maddox Moretti, his father works for the Recruiting Office for the Army now, and mom is deployed now.”
A quote from Staff Sergeant Dana Martini about her job description:
“I conduct inspections and testing to prevent disease and nonbattle injuries.”
A quote from Staff Sergeant Thomas Moretti:
“I started off my career in the Army as a Cavalry Scout in which I did 7 and a half years. I now serve as an Army Recruiter here in Plattsburgh, NY and have been for over a year. Being in the Army has given me the opportunity to explore new career paths and allowed me to not only provide for my family, but proudly serve this great country at the same time.”
While the children made letters, the teachers spoke to them about what a veteran is and what the troops are.
“We are also taking part in something called Adopt A Troop,” Whitbeck said.
“So, we are adopting 10 troops, and this was something also through Operation Shoebox. They send your names and addresses of troops that are taking part in this operation.
“We’re sending out 10 separate packages to 10 troops that are deployed right now and they could be anywhere.”
The Bright Beginnings families and staff will contribute items such as socks, playing cards, candy, or treats for military canines.
“So, it’s just a whole bunch of stuff to be donated to send to the troops overseas,” Whitbeck said.
“They’re like care packages. So, that’s what we’re doing.”