Southern Aroostook makes a change for children overseas

By Brooke Lilley
    Students from Southern Aroostook Community School have decided to make a change in the world by sending Christmas gifts to children overseas in Third World countries who usually get nothing for Christmas. Until Nov. 2, each high school class is collecting items,  including hygiene items, hard candy, gum, small toys, crayons, paper, and other gifts. Students can also include letters and pictures of themselves in the boxes in hopes that the child will return a letter.
    After all the items have been collected, a few students will pack and wrap the shoe boxes and during the week of Nov. 12 they will be dropped off in Presque Isle at the designated center. From there the boxes will be sent overseas just in time for Christmas. A goal has not been set, but students are hoping to make this project a major community event in future years and to change the lives of others.
    Kristen Tarr, a senior who has a major part in this project, said that this project is a “wake-up call to students to get involved and see what other cultures are like, and to be appreciative for what we have.” Tarr also said “these boxes empower us to bring something special into their lives.”
    To Americans, this one little shoebox seems powerless and useless, but to these children it is life changing. This one box may be the only Christmas gift that these children ever receive during their entire lifetime.