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Handle with care: Students send troops support
By MICHELE MILLER, Times Staff Writer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Having lived in the United States for only three years, 18-year-old Aisha Khadim has ambivalent feelings about the war in Iraq. "I feel bad because I know a lot of people are dying," she says. "I think we should not have war. War is never good for you." Still, she wants to support the American troops. So last week, dressed in the native garb of Pakistan -- a bright yellow flowered shalwar kamiz (dress) and green paisley hejab (scarf) -- the Ridgewood High School senior packed a shoe box with cotton balls, deodorant, wet wipes, shampoo, instant oatmeal, Ramen noodles and butterscotch candies. Then she penned a letter to a young man named Brett Lyons who is serving in the Air Force and happens to be a family friend of Laura Way, a teacher at Ridgewood High School. Hey, what's up buddy? I have a message for you from your mom. She wants you to share this stuff with other foxes. Other than that, I wish you good luck. God bless you. We hopefully think you'll be back home soon, safe and happy. From Aisha Khadim Aisha was just one of many Ridgewood students and faculty members who volunteered their time last week to pack shoe boxes with some treasured essentials for those serving in the Middle East. There was Bertie Haywood, the head of the school's Math Department, who brought in tons of donations. Senior Heather Koon coordinated the packing and took to the tedious task of splitting up big packages of white cotton balls into individual plastic bags. Law teacher Marlyn Bavetta oversaw the assembly line procedure in her classroom and had emptied her two closets of a slew of shoe boxes for the effort. "My husband was saying, "What's happening here, are you moving out or what?" said Bavetta as she dug up a gray Birkenstock box for sophomore Gina Soldo. Then there was Assistant Principal Deborah Lepley. She came up with the idea of having Ridgewood students and faculty "Adopt a Soldier." Lepley, who formerly served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division, said she remembered well how precious those packages were from home while serving on 18-20 day maneuvers. "After watching the news and seeing the soldiers in sandstorms and the heat, I thought we had to do something," said Lepley. She called a meeting with faculty members. Many remembered former students who had enlisted in the military. They put out the word for students and faculty to bring in the names and APO addresses of family or friends who were serving in the Middle East. Then they asked local businesses and the community to help out. The rest is history. Well, not really. The "Adopt a Soldier" program will be ongoing and will likely expand to include others who may or may not have a connection with Ridgewood. Those in the military who receive packages have been asked to share and send back names of others who could use a little care package. Science teacher Catherine Adair says there is a definite need. Her son Darin is serving onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln which is returning from the Persian Gulf to its home port of Boston. Adair says she often sends a little extra -- especially hard candy -- to be shared with others. "Some of the kids do not get anything," she said. "Darin says he can't believe the amount of kids who don't get mail or packages." With a little help that will be changing. "This is just the beginning," said Lepley. "What we're sending is just the first wave as a general contact." "I think this is a very good thing to do," said sophomore Kodie Gordon. "It lets them know that we're thinking of them. That they're not alone." The "Adopt a Soldier" effort will likely be a small bright spot for those who are serving. But it benefits Ridgewood students as well. "Our kids are loving it," said Lepley. "Even the kids who are dead set against (the war), they're supportive because almost every class has a student who knows someone who's over there," said Bavetta. "This generation has been through so much -- with 9-11 and now this. This (Adopt a Soldier) is helping them. They're not just watching on T.V. They're doing something."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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