Friday, Dec. 28 2012 4:48PM

LSNHS students and staff send care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan

LSNHS students and staff send care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan

Students and staff members at Lee’s Summit North High School recently sent off care packages to United States soldiers stationed in Afghanistan as part of a school-wide service project. In all, the school sent 13 large boxes containing 96 pounds of food, toiletries, games and toys.

LSNHS students donated the items as well as money for postage. All packages went to Army Sgt. Charles Porter, a former LSNHS student, currently on his third tour in Afghanistan. Sgt. Porter will be distributing the items to his fellow soldiers.

Jennifer Mooney, LSNHS A+ coordinator and social studies teacher, launched the project at LSNHS.

Tavish Whiting, LSNHS social studies teacher who also helped with the project, said he was impressed by the generosity of students and employees as well as others within the community. For example, a community member donated around 12 pounds of Beanie Baby toys, and employees of a Lee’s Summit Starbucks donated 12 pounds of coffee.

The 13 boxes also included approximately 250 letters to the soldiers from students at Lee’s Summit North as well as Hawthorn Hill and Meadow Lane Elementary.

Mr. Whiting added that he took the packages to the Lone Jack post office during mid-December. “Even though I had 13 large packages to mail overseas, customers insisted that I move to the head of the line when they heard where the packages were going and how the project came about,” he added.