NORFOLK, VA – ( October 28, 2021) This year more than 100,000 U.S. troops are forward-deployed or stationed overseas, despite the remaining concern of Coronavirus. U.S. service members remain actively deployed worldwide, serving onboard U.S. Navy ships and submarines to mobile bases in areas such as Kuwait, Syria, and Iraq. No matter the area of operation, all service members experience the same difficulty of separation from home and family. Because of this, two middle schoolers, Kristen and Addie, decided to help as many U.S. troops as possible as part of an English class assignment to 'Change the World.' With the help of local nonprofit, Troopster, Kristen and Addie supported more than 50 Sailors aboard the USS Carl Vincent (CVN 70).

"Last year before COVID, we were challenged to do something that would help people. We knew we wanted to help the military in some way because of all they sacrifice to keep us safe. We decided to raise money to make care packages to send to deployed troops," said Kristen. "My cousin is in the Marines, and I don't get to see him very often, but we were thinking that because they (military members) sacrifice so much for us, it would be really nice to give back to them."

At the beginning of the 2020 school year, Kristen and Addie were sixth-grade middle schoolers at Mid-Buchanan R-V, among a class of 24 other students. Coronavirus was not yet a growing concern, and classes were held in a regular classroom setting. Katie Bishop, Mid-Buchanan's sixth-grade English teacher, challenged the class with a unique assignment that encouraged the students to think of a way to give back to the world.

"I wanted to empower them to think globally and challenge them to help others that are/were not as fortunate as them," said Bishop.

The collaborative project, #WorldChangers, was a yearlong assignment to provoke the students to think beyond their community and identify how they too could impact the world at such a young age. The project was not limited on ideas, but students had to advocate for their project through email communication to businesses and community stakeholders. Each group, ranging from two to six individuals, had to create a proposal for their project, present that proposal to Bishop, and later hold a meeting with Mid-Buchanan Principal April Campbell for final approval.

"Students picked their organizations and partners for the project, and it was all self-driven," said Bishop. "Each Friday, our class time was solely devoted to this project and learning experience. Students did various fundraising events locally and held sessions to make the community aware of their projects through advertising, informational meetings, etc. All events were scheduled and approved if held at school through the proper channels. Some groups, like Addie and Kristen, got the support of local restaurants and held a pool tournament and got a donation from the sales from the night to help their project."

The educational and practical structure of the project-based learning assignment offered students real-time application and insight into how reading, research, writing, and project management are critical in real-world tasks. Kristen and Addie, with the help of their parents, began fundraising for their project, which they called "Deployed Care." The students held a pool tournament, a raffle and raised more than $1,000 to help them send care packages to U.S. troops. Unfortunately, mid-way through the #WolrdChanger assignment, mandatory school and business closures began taking place nationwide. Unable to attend school, visit the post offices or stores to purchase and send care package supplies, the progress of the project was halted.

In a letter sent by Kristen and Addie, "COVID hit, school was canceled, and we couldn't purchase care package supplies with all the shutdowns. We then realized that we couldn't make the packages ourselves, so we started looking into organizations that did what we had planned on doing. Finally, we found Troopster and donated the money we raised to them to continue our plan of helping deployed troops."

Troopster is a veteran founded and operated 501c3 based out of Norfolk, Virginia. The organization works with communities, businesses, and military families nationwide to support deployed service members by delivering unique care packages overseas. Founded and operated by a military veteran, the organization has sent more than 30,000 care packages to deployed troops across more than 22 countries.

"We received this great letter from Kristen and Addie, along with a check for a little more than $1,000 to help support a deployed unit," said Chelsea Mandello, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Troopster. "After reading their letter, I knew that I had to reach out to them. With thousands of troops deployed, and so many service members who were unable to come home during COVID or visit areas off base, morale for those serving was particularly at an all-time low."

Working with each branch of the military, Troopster receives thousands of letters a year from service members on deployment. With more than 26,000 requests, Troopster volunteers and staff are thankful for the donations from caring individuals such as Kristen and Addie, whose project "Deployed Care" helped support 50 sailors aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) with care packages.

"Dear Kristen and Addie, Thank you very much for the care packages which myself and my division recently received aboard the USS Carl Vinson and shared among the division. Having these treats helps to make the days at sea go by faster and in a happier mood, and they are a welcome supplement to the ship's usual food, which is often undercooked and not very flavorful. The nutritious snacks such as protein bars, nuts, dried fruit, and coffee were the best.

We still have about six more months at sea and unfortunately will not be having any port visits for the time-being. We get sporadic internet access but also look forward to receiving traditional snail mail so please feel free to write anytime. Thank you again. Very Respectfully, Petty Officer 2nd Class. USS Carl Vinson (CVN70)"

Thanks to the initiative of Kristen and Addie, as well as to their English teacher Mrs. Bishop, and local supporters, the U.S. Navy Sailors aboard the USS Carl Vinson were able to receive support. While the #WorldChangers project was a local class exercise, the dedication and perseverance of these two middle schoolers truly portray the capacity of how a small act can have a big impact.

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