Every holiday season, students from the South Park High School Interact Club collect shoeboxes filled with supplies and treats for troops deployed overseas. Those shoeboxes bring some of the comforts of home to the men and women who are thousands of miles from their homes during the holidays. Last year alone, the Interact Club shipped more than 175 shoeboxes to Qatar.
On February 21, Interact Club students learned about the positive impact those donated shoeboxes had for the troops who received them when U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Chris Karwowski visited South Park High School. Master Sgt. Karwowski received the shipment of shoeboxes from South Park in December. He spoke to the students about how the donations and gifts brightened their day. He said he couldn’t believe how many boxes were delivered from South Park.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to everyone,” Master Sgt. Karwowski said. “In the age of the internet and Wi-Fi, nothing replaces just getting a piece of mail.”
Master Sgt. Karwowski, who just returned home, also spoke to students about his most recent deployment and his time in Qatar.
Of all the items in the nearly 200 shoeboxes received, Master Sgt. Karwowski said one was everyone’s clear favorite.
“A little jar of slime,” Master Sgt. Karwowski said.