A labor of love has already netted nearly 200 letters for troops overseas as well as almost $100 in donations.
Goodnoe Elementary School students C.J. Donofry and his sister, Julia, decided to set up a lemonade stand this summer to collect letters for troops stationed overseas. They started the effort after they found out their neighbor’s son was headed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army.
C.J., who is entering sixth grade, and Julia, who is entering third grade, hosted seven lemonade stands in the past two months. They also organized letter collection boxes at various Newtown locations.
Through their efforts, they have already sent four care packages and more than 100 letters. They have plans to send another three or four care packages and additional letters with the donations they have already received. The pair said they will keep sending packages and letters as long as they have the resources to do so.
Although their last lemonade stand for the summer was held this past Wednesday, the duo said they will continue raising donations and collecting letters for care packages.
The Donofrys are discussing the possibilities of appearing at one or two community events in the fall to give people opportunities to pen additional letters.
C.J. said he was ecstatic when he got word that many of local teachers have plans for their students to write letters in the fall. He said he is hopeful those additional efforts will help them reach his ultimate goal of sending 500 letters.
C.J. said the project helped him learn to stick with something and not to stop, despite obstacles.
Letters can still be dropped off during business hours at Newtown Borough Hall, Newtown Library Company, Goodnoe Elementary School or St. Andrew’s Parish Office.
