Students reach out to help alumni serving in military

Newton — Over the past several years, Kittatinny Regional High School students have been reaching out to alumni serving in the military around the globe. Operation Cougar Pride allows students to write letters, make cards, take pictures and gather snacks for recent graduates of Kittatinny who are serving in all branches of the military, including the Coast Guard. Care packages have been shipped around the world, to West Point, N.Y., Iraq and Japan. Operation Cougar Pride was initiated two years ago when Ellen Kolonoski, a junior high teacher at Kittatinny, read a letter from a former student who was wounded overseas and awarded a Purple Heart, one of the highest honors given by the United States Military. After doing some research, Kolonsoki found there were numerous Kittatinny graduates serving in all branches of the military. She thought it would be a good idea for her students to write letter and cards, and send packages to those graduates, in appreciation for their service to the country. “Operation Cougar Pride teaches our current students about service and sacrifice” Kolonoski said. “But the packages are really something special and mean a lot to our graduates in the military.” Kittatinny students have sent numerous packages to alumni in the United States, Iraq, Italy and Japan. Graduates ranging from the Class of 1997 to the Class of 2005 have been receiving packages with memories from home - such as pictures of the school and magazines. The packages sent overseas are a little larger, weighing approximately 25 pounds. All contents are donated by Kittatinny students and faculty. Students include disposable cameras, Kittatinny T-shirts and playing cards for those stationed in other countries. The packages are also intended to be shared with those serving alongside Kittatinny alumni. Kittatinny students have received numerous letters in return from alumni, thanking them for the packages and letting them know what life is like in other parts of the world. The feedback has helped keep Kittatinny students excited about their project. This year’s Operation Cougar Pride was done in January, with the packages to arrive around Valentine’s Day. Kolonoski is calling it ‘a little love from home.’