Collective Efforts

“Thank you” and “Be safe” tend not to be common phrases printed on Hallmark gift bags. But, then again, these gift bags were produced by hand as Blair Mill Elementary School students sketched, colored and made each one unique.

The often overlooked conveniences of home – snacks, batteries and toiletries – were placed inside the 150 bags and on Wednesday, students helped National Guard soldiers load it into their vehicle en route to troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

“We collected flip flops and stuff,” first-grader Chloe Bernstein said after taking a tour of the National Guard’s massive camouflaged vehicle.

Soldiers from the 1/104 Cavalry based out of the Southampton Road Armory in Philadelphia were on hand to answer questions, give high fives and help pack the vehicle Wednesday.

Through March, Blair Mill students, faculty and staff rounded up Frisbees, bubbles, kites, deodorant, toothbrushes, chapstick, sunscreen, non-perishable food, movies, music and other items. In addition, local stores donated gift cards, which staff used to buy 350 batteries for use in MP3 players and radios, according to Susanna Kiss, Blair Mill fifth-grade math teacher.

Kiss organized the collection effort with Blair Mill kindergarten teacher Mindy DeSimone.

“We wanted to do something different this year,” Kiss said. “We’re always looking to help out.”