Two priorities here in Iowa’s 3rd congressional district are education and military veterans. Valentine’s Day presented an opportunity for staff members for our new member of Congress, Cindy Axne, to team up with DMPS on both counts.
Students in Courtney Starbuck’s 5th grade class at Perkins Elementary School and Tracey Stevens’ 1st graders at Jackson Elementary School were glad to pitch in and create handmade Valentines for Vets on Thursday morning. Axne’s district staff collected and delivered the hand-made cards that afternoon to the VA hospital in Des Moines.
At Perkins, Derek Behnke brought all of the supplies with him: paper, markers, glue, etc. He works in constituent services for Axne.
“One of the great things about my job is that I get to do fun stuff like coming out to meet all of you,” he told Starbuck’s class. “Congresswoman Axne really appreciates all of your help with this project that’s so important to her.”
When Starbuck heard about the project, she was quick to raise her hand and volunteer her students. Before she turned them loose with their scissors and imaginations, she explained why.
“My dad is a Vietnam War veteran,” she said. “He goes to the vets’ hospital every week for a wellness program they have there, usually on Tuesdays, but maybe he’ll get to see some of these valentines we’re going to make.”
Within minutes a stack of cards was created, most of them featuring ear-shaped construction paper cutouts that unfolded into perfect hearts onto which were inscribed good wishes and gratitude.
The project was a great mood-setter for the V-Day party the class has scheduled for last thing Friday afternoon, when they’ll exchange valentines with one another and enjoy some sweet treats.
Speaking of which, Behnke brought some of those along too, and distributed them just in time to whet, or spoil, the kids’ appetites for lunch.
