By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Marlborough- Valentine’s Day is all about love but for many of our troops stationed overseas it can be a day of loneliness or even sadness.
The Marlborough High School (MHS) Student Council members partnered with LCI Paper Company Feb. 3 to send valentine cards to the American troops stationed in Qatar. The Marlborough-based company, which provides specialty papers and envelopes for large organizations as well as home-based businesses, donated supplies for the event.
There were about 16 students participating in this year’s event as the recent snowstorms wreaked havoc on the first two scheduled dates. Each student created approximately 10 cards that were filled with inspirational messages for the troops to enjoy.
Jonathan Maciel is the president of Student Council.
“We started making and sending cards last year to troops. It feels really good to show our support to people who give up so much to serve their country. Especially around holiday time, when they are not able to be around loved ones, these cards really do mean a lot. We hope they enjoy these cards,” he said.
Student Council Co-Advisor Heather Kohn, who oversaw, the event, said she could not be prouder of the students’ efforts. Co-Advisor Courtney Wheeler’s father has served in Qatar, giving extra meaning to the day.
Ryan Lewis, a MHS class of 2014 graduate and now an LCI Paper employee, also participated.
“Being a former Marlborough High School student, it feels really good to give back to the community and join the Student Council with these Valentines cards that are being sent to the troops in Qatar,” said Lewis.
The members of the MHS Council are often involved in making a difference in the community. They have recently collected more than 170 pounds of food for the Marlborough Community Cupboard and have sponsored three Red Cross Blood Drives. They are now getting ready for their upcoming Polar Plunge in March. A dozen Marlborough High School students will be jumping into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean to help raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics.
Larry Chase, the founder and CEO of LCI Paper, was also present at the event.
“I am thrilled to be partnering with Marlborough High School for our first event of 2015. We are proud to support the local community for such a great cause. This was such an exciting, feel-good event,” he said.
“The event was also impactful on the students.”
“For me, this project is about letting people who are overseas know just how much we appreciate what they do, how much we are thinking about them,” tenth-grader Charlotte Simmons said. “Oh yes, and we are sending lots of love, especially on Valentine’s Day.”
For more information on LCI Paper, visit www.lcipaper.com.