News & Events

CINCINNATI - November 9th, 2007 - The troops on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan from the Lebanon and surrounding Cincinnati Area will receive a gift from the students of Lebanon Junior High School this winter. Students took part in a project in which they brought in items to send in a care packages to the troops. A total of 65 boxes were assembled to include games, toiletries, food, and other items to brighten the troops day. The school received assistance from The Thank You Foundation and the Warren County Veterans Services to pay for postage.

The idea was to have each home room collect enough items for one soldier, 45 soldiers in all. This was a voluntary activity and the response was overwhelming. So much in fact, that an additional 20 boxes worth of items were collected to be shipped.

Mr. Frank, the Principal of Lebanon Junior High School contacted the Warren County Veteran Services American Legion to get support for the project as well as The Thank You Foundation based in Lebanon. Mr. Frank became aware of the Foundation last spring when President and Founder John Guinn presented Certificates of Appreciation to 4 Mason High School recruits who were scheduled to leave for Basic Training at the end of the school year.

Mr. Frank wanted to support troops from the Lebanon Community and we are always willing to help, said Guinn. This past summer we supported the 2/107th CAV Troop C from Lebanon and have sent 100's of care packages to troops from all over the country Guinn added.

The Thank You Foundation committed to financing the shipment of 45 boxes and The Warren County Veterans Commission will send the additional care packages.

In addition each homeroom has signed a Foundation "Thank You" card to go in the boxes. Most recently the Winton Woods School District signed over 3000 of the cards that were included in 50 care packages sent in partnership with The Thank You Foundation and the Yellow Ribbon Support Group of Dayspring Church.

The care packages were presented in a special Veterans Day ceremony at the Jr. High on Friday November 9th. The Lebanon High School Junior ROTC presented the colors and members of American Legion Post 186 were on hand along with Lebanon Mayor Amy Brewer.

In addition John Zimkus, who taught history in Lebanon for 35 years and is the Historian of the Warren County Historical Society gave a wonderful speech about the origins of Veterans Day and reminded everyone that freedom is not free.

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