Release
815-467-2140, ext. 179
MCHS Teacher’s Son Returns from Iraq, Thanks School
(Minooka) – For the past two years, MCHS foods teacher Darlene Etta has been collecting donations and funds to help send care packages to U.S. soldiers, including her son Byron, serving overseas. Upon his recent return to the United States, Byron, who is a combat medic with the United States Army, visited MCHS to thank everyone for their support.
“The support of everyone at MCHS was awesome,” said Byron. “I didn’t expect anything like this at all.”
He said that he actually wasn’t aware that his mom had been working so hard to send such a high volume of packages overseas.
“The first couple of packages arrived and everything seemed normal,” he said. “Then they just kept coming. Pretty soon, mail call days were very popular because packages kept showing up.”
Byron added that, while the Playstation 2 his mom sent was great, nothing was more popular than the packages with food.
“Food packages were always great to receive,” he said. “Everyone missed the food from home, so it was a good treat.”
In all, Darlene figures that she has sent over 100 packages overseas.
“The support from everyone at MCHS and the community made this possible - it has been overwhelming,” she said.
To gather items and funds for the packages, Darlene coordinated raffles and other fund raisers, and worked to get the word out to local community members and organizations.
“Groups in the school like Spanish National Honor Society and Student Council were very generous, as were outside organizations like Channahon Junior High School, Minooka Bible Church, and the V.F.W.,” she said.
While her son is now home for a while, she said that she does plan to continue in her efforts.
“My students and I have adopted six servicemen through Operation Shoebox and will keep organizing fund raisers and collection drives to continue sending items to them,” she added. People interested in donating items can contact Darlene at detta@mchs.net or 467-2140, 114 for more information.
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