High school, VFW make good match
A successful collaboration between the business world and the education world took place this month. Panera LLC approached VFW Post 5151 Operation Airlift coordinator Edward Pfannkuche, and asked if Panera could sponsor a contest with Streamwood High School to collect donations to be shipped to our servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr. Pfannkuche agreed the idea was fantastic. Thus, Panera met with Streamwood High School Principal Terri Lozier and plans for the contest went forward.
Operation Airlift is part of VFW Post 5151. Its job is to collect supplies, such as shampoo, combs, Kleenex, toilet paper, and many other items that soldiers need, but are not readily available to them.
Plus, there is a little bit of love from home: Letters from students thanking them for their service; and cookies, candies, gum, toothbrushes, blankets, hats, socks and other items to let them know that we are thinking of them and hope they return home safely.
The contest was the last week in April and the first week in May. Panera offered first, second and third prizes for the classes that collected the most supplies. The first prize was a lunch to be served by Panera and some of the Veterans from Post 5151. Second prize was a breakfast and third prize was a continental breakfast served by Panera and the veterans.
The contest was a total success. I am sure that the soldiers will be very pleased with the supplies we send them.
Students participated in an event that gained them both knowledge about veterans and a chance to ask the VFW 5151 veterans that served them lunch questions concerning their own years of service to our country.
Operation Airlift would like to thank Panera, as well as Streamwood High School, both teachers and students for their participation in this wonderful contest.
Anyone who has a soldier currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan can send us their address and we will be sure to forward a box to them. Call Edward Pfannkuche at (630) 837-4072 with the addresses. Thanks again, everyone. Job well done!
Fred J. Hossfeld, co-chairman
Operation Airlift
Streamwood