LITTLE TROOPERS
Astoria school sending supplies to Iraq

Students at P.S. 234, an elementary school of about 700 students in Astoria, are supporting the troops serving in Iraq by putting together packages for them, sending out about 50 boxes every week.
The project initially started as a letter writing campaign to troops, but soon grew from there. Through the responses they received, students became aware that soldiers were lacking several basic items. They began to hold fundraisers, such as lollipop and trinket sales, to raise money to aid in the efforts.
“The kids just really honed in on it and wanted to do more,” said P.S. 234 principal Thea Pallos.
Through the “Adopt-a-Unit” program, the school has now adopted 13 different units of soldiers who are fighting over in Iraq. Every day, different students can be seen in the school’s library packing boxes of items such as toothpaste, deodorant, flashlights, batteries, socks, blankets, gloves, reading materials, DVDs and snacks. Boxes can cost between $30 and $60, including postage, depending on what materials are in them.
“We feel like we’re helping our country fighting for a war,” said fourth grade student Fillios Demetriou, adding that it is like having friends in another country.
Classmate Johnathan Peppas added, “I feel good that we’re helping other soldiers and that we’re caring for them.”
“It’s unbelievable,” said fourth grade teacher Carol D’Andrea. “They’re into it. It’s a wonderful program.”
For the children’s efforts, they were recently recognized by Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, who has submitted an entry about the school’s work into the Congressional Record.
“What they’re doing is just phenomenal,” Maloney said. “This is really an incredible achievement. They’re discovering that they have the power to change the lives of others for the better.”
Vicky Davanis, also a fourth grader, said that it feels good to get letters back from the soldiers and to know that they are getting better. In one such letter, a soldier wrote to a student, “You are our future and we need to keep that safe.”
“We’re helping them like they’re our friends,” said student Caroline Haoud. “We’re helping them win the war.”
Pallos said that the school hopes to continue its efforts until the soldiers are home.
“We have a great deal of pride in them,” Pallos said of the work being done by the students. “For little people they have great minds and they really want to go beyond what their capabilities are. They really wanted to go the extra mile to help the soldiers. They want to make a difference.”
The students said that, through the program, they have learned about caring for another person and doing something good for others. Assistant principal Peggy Mouzakitis and librarian Anna Chelpan said that the students are learning about what a difference one person can make and have also become more aware of what’s going on in the world.
“This will stay with them forever,” ESL teacher José Guerrero said. “They’ll always remember what they did for our … troops. I think it’s a great learning experience for them.”
Pallos said that local merchants and members of the community have gotten involved in the school’s efforts, giving monetary donations as well as item donations. However, she hopes that even more people will also provide additional support.
P.S. 234 is located at 30-15 29th Street in Astoria. The school can be contacted by calling 718-932-5650.