The Shorecrest Red, White and Blue club is a group of Upper School students who work to support and honor active U.S. military service members, veterans and first responders. The club has received an immediate request for cards for 75 local veterans who are physically unable to participate in an Honor Flight, a celebratory flight to Washington, D.C. during which veterans are honored. The Red White and Blue Club invites any interested Shorecrest community members to support their effort in making cards to share with veterans at a local celebration that is in lieu of the flight. The deadline to submit cards to the project is the morning of Friday, February 10.
How you can help:
Make cards with a note of thanks! A simple sheet of paper folded in half is perfect. Students introduce themselves (no need for a last name) and write a little about themselves, for example:
Grade level, pets, family members, what they like to do, favorite subjects, favorite sports team or artist, favorite foods
Mention family members who are or were in the military
Draw a picture
And most importantly: thank the Veteran for their service. Recognize their sacrifice of time away from family and loved ones, etc.
The next Honor Flight from St. Petersburg is scheduled in April. On the plane, veterans will each receive a backpack filled with cards thanking them for their service and sacrifice. When they return to their hometown airport their arrival is celebrated with media crews, musical bands, other military members, and crowds of citizens (including members of Shorecrest’s Red, White and Blue Club).
“In the Tampa Bay Area there are 75 veterans who are physically unable to make the journey in April,” Mrs. Lisa Peck, the Red White and Blue Club sponsor, explained. “Honor Flight is instead hosting and honoring them locally on February 25. Our club asks for our community members to make cards or write letters for these veterans. These cards bring tears to their eyes!”
The Honor Flight Network was formed in 2005 with the mission of honoring our nation’s veterans by bringing them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials and monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with comrades, to remember friends and comrades lost, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. All honored veterans travel at no cost to the veteran. Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has taken more than 245,000 veterans to Washington D.C.!
Shorecrest Upper School’s Red, White, and Blue Club was founded in 2017 with the mission to serve those who serve us. The club hosts service projects benefiting military service members, veterans and first responders; hosts guest speakers; coordinates the annual Veteran’s Day events on campus, and more.
Please turn letters into Mrs. Johnson at Main Visitor Reception in the Raymund Center, the Upper School front desk or Mrs. Peck by the morning of Friday, February 10. An Honor Flight representative will pick them up that afternoon.
