A serviceman who graduated grew up in Livermore Falls is most likely going to get a little misty-eyed when he gets a package that contains holiday cards made by each student in Jonne Gross’ second-grade classroom at Jay Elementary School.

Richard Tufts Jr., a graduate of Livermore Falls High School, is serving in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division.

The son of Penny Morris of Livermore Falls and the late Richard Tufts Sr. of Lisbon Falls, Tufts Jr. is married to the former Stacy Smith, a native of Jay. The couple has a son, Trevor.

Kelsye Smith, a student in Gross’ class, is Tuft’s niece and asked her classmates if they would help her make his Christmas a little better.

The cards, Kelsye thought, would make her uncle happy for the holidays.

Her classmates took to the idea eagerly, said Gross, and each student set out to write and decorate a handmade holiday card for him.

Some students kept their messages simple wishing him a merry Christmas and happy New Year. Others wrote Tufts and told him they hoped he was safe, that he didn’t get hurt and that back at home they are proud of him, Gross said, adding she was touched by her classes big heart. Gross also did a mini-lesson for students about where Iraq is on the map and some simple facts about the country.

Students spent three days on the cards, which were sent Friday afternoon to arrive in Iraq by Christmas.

“They were excited to do this,” she said. “They felt really bad he wasn’t going to home for Christmas and that they were. They knew he could get hurt and they were hoping this would cheer him up. They are a very compassionate class. They’ve learned that Christmas is not about toys in a box.”

– Samantha DePoy
Industry:

Benefit collects clothes for kids

A benefit supper to collect coats, hats and boots for area children didn’t yield very many donations due to the winter storm that pummeled the area with snow last weekend.

But organizer Rosemary Frazier is hopeful those who had planned to give will drop items off at the Industry Town Hall.

Frazier had organized a benefit supper to be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, where payment for the home cooked meal was warm clothing for children valued at over $20.

By the time the snow started to come down, it was too late to cancel the event, she said.

“It was a flop on account of the blizzard,” said Frazier this week. “I think we would have got quite a few people but it was storming pretty bad.”

About 12 people, including those who cooked the meal, showed up and Frazier said two new pairs of boots, several hats and about $70 in donations were collected.

To make a donation, stop by the Industry Town Hall on Tuesday or Thursday nights from 3 to 7 p.m. or call Rosemary Frazier at 778-4639.

– Samantha DePoy