Supply drive for our troops

South Side High School's Military History Club kicked off its March Madness supply drive for American troops serving in Afghanistan with a bake sale in the school's lobby on March 5. The 20-member club plans to collect soap and shampoo, tooth brushes, tooth paste, wet wipes, hand sanitizers, tissue packs, razors and shaving cream throughout the month of March.

After also collecting enough money club members plan to ship the supplies through the American Legion, so besides collecting the personal care items, the club will also fundraise through events like the bake sale and donations from the public.

“The Military History club has been a significant contributor to our local American Legion and other veterans organizations in the past," said South Side High School senior Jeffrey Slavin, who along with Andrea Rivas, is the club's president. "Both my grandfathers were in World War II and I feel a deep respect and honor for their service," Slavin added, mentioning that club members recently participated in two videoconferences with veterans of the USS Arizona during which local veterans affiliated with American Legion Post 303 joined them.

"I want to help their comrades with historical remembrances and help the currently deployed troops with better supplies than my grandparents had during World War II," he added.

Anyone wishing to donate can contact SSHS librarian Laurie Burke, the club’s advisor (pictured above with Slavin) at lburke@rvcschools.org or drop off toiletries in the large bin located in South Side High School’s lobby.