OSWEGO, NY – An Army reservist serving in Iraq and his comrades are receiving support from some of the youngest member of his hometown.
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| Lisa Carroll poses with Katie and Emily Bradshaw and other girls in the dance studio show off some of the donations they have collected. The Christmas care packages will be mailed to the Army’s 479th Engineer Unit in Iraq. For information on donating, call Jennifer Bradshaw at 342-3164. |
Katie and Emily Bradshaw, in conjunction with Lisa’s Centre of Dance Studio, are collecting donations to send to soldiers in Iraq for the holidays.
Their uncle, PFC Jeffery D. Lewis, is currently serving in Iraq and that has inspired the girls to collect donations for our soldiers.
Lewis is a native of Oswego. He is in the Army reserves through the Mattydale office.
He was called to active duty in August.
His wife, Heather, is a teacher at Leighton Elementary School.
The couple has three young boys.
Donations are being accepted at Lisa’s Centre of Dance Artistry Studio, 49 W. Third St.
“Or I would be happy to pick up donated items if people prefer. They could call me at 342-3164 to make arrangements,” said Jennifer Bradshaw.
“The girls are so proud of their uncle. His service to our country has inspired them to take action and show their support,” Bradshaw said. “There are many soldiers in Iraq who do not get any mail or packages from home and my girls are hoping to be able to send as many items as possible for them to pass around.”
“Something even as simple as a Christmas card saying, ‘Thanks, we have not forgotten you,’ would be incredible,” she added.
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| Jeff Lewis poses recently with his nieces, Katie and Emily Bradshaw. The girls have started a drive to collect items in support of the troops in Iraq. Donations are being accepted at Lisa’s Centre of Dance Artistry Studio, 49 W. Third St., or arrangements can be made to have them picked up. |
When Katie and Emily approached their dance teacher, Lisa Carroll, (owner of the studio) with the idea, she was thrilled to help.
Community service and helping others is very important to Miss Lisa and she tries to instill that in her students, the girls’ mom said.
The LCDA Booster Club was also very happy to help the girls’ cause.
The booster club graciously made a cash donation which was used to purchase items.
When Jeff was informed of the girls’ crusade and the support the community has given them he was humbled and overwhelmed with pride, Bradshaw said.
All the Christmas care packaged will be mailed to the Army’s 479 Engineer Unit and distributed among as many soldiers as possible.
All donations must be in by Dec. 1.
List Of needed items:
Christmas cards, Thank you notes, letters
Any pre-packaged snacks, cookies, gum – (no chocolate please, it will melt)
Electronic travel games
Playing cards, dominoes, word searches
Sketch pads, Art Supplies, books, magazines
Stationary/ envelopes, post cards
Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, unscented lotion
Lip balm, chapstick, sun block
Disposable cameras, Frisbees
Soccer balls, footballs, batteries
Music CDs, DVDs, small games
Beef jerkey, individual drink mixes
NO liquids, or aerosol cans please
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what a wonderful thing your doing. I will do what i can to spread the word and also bring you a few things.
great going girls