POW Club Brightens Service Members Overseas with Holiday Cards

The Power of Women Club gathered in a standing-room-only Lyons Conference Room to write holiday cards for our service members who are serving overseas. Armed with stickers, blank cards, stamps, and colored pencils, and gel pens, the students set to work to bring a taste of home.

Jennifer Haffner P’29 shared with the group that her husband, Lt. Colonel Helmut Heffner, a National Guard and Black Hawk pilot, is serving overseas. He has been deployed in Kuwait since April, and he won’t return home until January. She said the family is thrilled he’s coming home shortly, but it won’t feel like Christmas until he’s Stateside. She noted that many of the people he serves with are women who hold very senior positions. “These moments from home, like these cards,” she said, “really brighten their day.” She said even soldiers enjoy seeing a picture of a Christmas tree.

Haffner shared that she was speaking to her husband on FaceTime, and he wanted her to turn the camera around so he could see the rain, something that is in short supply in Kuwait.

Jayne Rotter, advisor to the POW, said the students may be challenged to write a card to someone that they don’t know. Rotter gave them some suggestions to kickstart their thoughts: “Wishing you peace, joy, and safety,” “Wishing you comfort, strength, and cheer,” and “I hope you feel supported and honored for all you do

The Parent Association, which was in attendance, collected the card, which will be sent shortly.