Argo Online

By Hannah Davelman

On the first day of school back in September, the Rutgers Prep class of 2012 began writing letters and baking cookies to send with our first care package to a platoon of soldiers in Afghanistan. Through the “Adopt a Platoon.org” program, we’ve sent six care packages to the S-4 platoon, stationed outside of Kandahar. From our communications with soldiers like Kayla Bailey, Robert Johnson, and James Throneberry, we’ve gotten to know them better, and become more aware of the war in Afghanistan as a result.
So, what prompted this project? When the advisors to the class of 2012 were discussing community service projects, Ms. Angelos brought up the idea of helping soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This concept was especially dear to Grade Dean Ms. Corrigan’s heart, since she herself has two cousins who served in the war. After looking at several organizations, the advisors settled on Adopt a Platoon, and Ms. Corrigan reached out to find out how our class could help. The organization replied within only a few days, and the project was on.
On the first day of school, sections of the class discussed what they thought should be included in the care package. We read recommendations from soldiers who had been overseas regarding what they had needed, which allowed us to build a package based on what soldiers stationed in Afghanistan would want.

Our first care package contained prepackaged and freshly baked cookies, as well as frosting, granola bars, and cereal. Only after we’d baked and sent the cookies did we discover the flaw in our plan: the soldiers couldn’t eat the cookies. For security reasons, the soldiers aren’t allowed to accept homemade goods from sources they aren’t familiar with. Corporal Robert Johnson, a member of the platoon, assured us that the rest of the package had been enjoyed, and that the store bought cookies and cereal had been delicious. The next few boxes, sent in October, November, and December, were big hits with the platoon, who enjoyed the ramen noodles, Twizzlers, candy, and magazines that the class shipped to them.

In December, the class decided to do something special for the platoon: gift cards! The sophomore class began collecting ten-dollar iTunes gift cards, and the response from the community was tremendous. Thanks to donations, we were able to send each soldier an iTunes gift card. Corporal Johnson emailed Ms. Corrigan after they received the package to say how much they had appreciated them, and to respond to her query about what kind of music they liked. He replied that their tastes ranged from country, to hip hop, to rock, but they liked just about all music. He also joked about his personal taste, writing, “My favorite is country, then I can’t let go of 80’s music either. But that shows my age to you all, lol.”
The most recent care package shipped out was the February package, which contained Valentine’s Day themed goodies such as chocolates and other candies. With only two more packages to go until the platoon heads home to Fort Worth, Texas, the class of 2012 has no shortage of ideas for themes of future packages. Some ideas included an American theme and a foot themed package, to reflect their journey home as well as serve a purpose. Ms. Corrigan also said, “We could also do some Rutgers Prep stuff, so that they remember us. We could also do a “Your Home/Our Home” sort of thing, which would include stuff from Jersey and stuff from Texas.”
In April, the platoon will finally return home to Fort Worth. Though we’ll miss our pen pals in Afghanistan, everyone is thrilled that our friends will finally get to go home to their homes and families. Over the course of the year, the class will have sent seven packages, written over a hundred letters, and helped those who are serving our country have a little bit of home with them while they’re overseas.

Want to help out with the program? You can drop off items for the care packages in Ms. Corrigan’s room 109, or go to http://adoptaplatoon.org/site/ to support a platoon, either individually or with a group.