St. Joseph School in Downers Grove just sent me the pictures and information below. This is really a great story!
The Red Cross partnered with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. For a second year in a row, they collected holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Pitney Bowes generously donated technology, resources and postage to make this holiday card program possible. This program touches many throughout the world, and although it was meant to touch distant soldiers and their families, it touched some local teachers and children right here in Downers Grove.
“It started in Religion class when I spoke with my students about giving gifts. I told them it could be a card, a hug, a kiss, a smile. The small things can really brighten someone’s day,” explained St. Joseph School first-grade teacher, Miss Patti Biernat. She and fellow first-grade teacher, Jane Krueger brought this service project to their classrooms. “Nowadays, everyone is so involved in electronics, game systems and such. We shared how those gifts can be good, but may not be the best gifts of all,” she added. Miss Biernat knows this well.
After serving four years as a Marine, Biernat’s brother is now home, but while on active duty he spent two tours in Iraq. “We spoke of how fortunate we are to live where we live and to have what we have. It was the children who brought up Iraq and the fighting.” Biernat shared that her brother was serving their country. “They don’t understand but do know about it.” In the discussion, they talked about how soldiers were fighting for us and for our freedom, but also about how hard the holidays can be for them as their family isn’t there with them.
While on active duty, Biernat’s brother did miss a family Christmas. “He never really said much about his experience in Iraq, but he did say that just receiving any kind of mail made him feel a bit better.” Biernat explained this to her students. “The soldiers might bond with each other, but it is not the same as family.”
Although the first graders might not grasp the seriousness of the situation, they do grasp giving of themselves. “We thought this might be a good little service project for the first graders. We talked about how they are doing something good for others. It might be just a small experience for them, but for the one receiving the card, it is so much larger.” So while feeling warmth in their hearts for the soldiers throughout the world, St. Joseph School first graders created some heartfelt Christmas cards before heading home for their winter break. They thought of the soldiers who would be away from home this Christmas season, but also for their teachers, who are experiencing it firsthand with military relatives. “Not having him here for the holidays was hard on us, especially my mom. We felt proud but at the same time scared. It was the not-knowing that was nerve-wracking,” added Biernat.
With a serious look, first-grader Madeline O’Neil gently placed her card on the pile to be mailed. Her card included a red and white striped heart with two floating hearts above. Popping out from behind the heart was a smiling Santa and reindeer. She wanted to share her thoughts of Christmas with the soldiers. “They are just struggling so,” she said.
The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes had a goal to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families. Biernat and Krueger had a goal to help their students understand a little better what it means to give this Christmas season; to give from their heart.
Although Biernat’s brother doesn’t share much about what he experienced in Iraq, she knows what a simple card from friends, family, but also from strangers meant to her brother. She feels a little better knowing she helped create a simple, yet powerful gift for a lonely serviceman or woman this holiday season. “Talking about it and letting them know they are doing something good for others might be just a small experience for our first graders, but as teachers we can appreciate the magnitude on the receiving end,” said Krueger. Biernat agreed, “Knowing it would bring a smile to a soldier gave a good warm feeling. I think the children knew that, too.”
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