Operation Home Front

By: Danny Huber

The Sparta and Tomah communities have paired up with Operation Home Front to help support our troops overseas. At the start of the 2010-2011 school year and every month thereafter the two schools have been collecting and sending nonperishable food items and other goodies to send to our troops overseas.

Dale Stafslien initially got involved when he volunteered to help LaVerne and Lloyd Cramer of Tomah who had already started the program at Tomah High School. “On average we send two to three boxes per month of food, magazines, and other necessities,” said Stafslien. The program has been going on for the last 3 years in Tomah and Sparta.

The monthly packages hit home especially last school year when Sparta Science teacher John Blaha was stationed in Iraq. Every month Sparta high school sent a package especially to him among the other packages that were sent with Operation Home Front. “Anything to brighten their day is much appreciated, many things you and I take for granted is hard for them to come by and they appreciate anything we send,” said Stafslien.

Around the holiday season cards are given out during grad groups for students to write something to a soldier. These cards are sent overseas before Christmas to help make the holidays easier for those that have to spend them away from loved ones.

If you are willing to donate, items that are good to send include beef jerky, gum and anything that won’t melt and is nonperishable. You can bring your donations to the office at Sparta High School.