The time has come to help Cupid’s arrow find its mark in Afghanistan.
The arrow is actually a selection of Valentine’s Day gift bags and cards made by local students as part of the annual Operation Cupid. At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27, students will gather at Scarborough Middle School to assemble and decorate the bags, said Tom Griffin, a health teacher at the school.
The public is invited to attend what Griffin said becomes a big party.
This year, the bags filled with puzzles, CDs and DVDs, candy, snacks and gum that will be shipped to the 150 Maine members of the U.S. Army Reserve 619th Transportation Company, Griffin said.
The middle school Builders Club joins Key clubs from Scarborough and South Portland high schools and the K-Kids program at Wentworth Intermediate School to fill and decorate the bags, said Jim Damicis of the Scarborough Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis clubs sponsor the school clubs.
The project began seven years ago when students decided to send phone cards to soldiers in the Maine Army National Guard 133rd Engineer Battalion. Cell phone technology and Internet messaging lessened the need for the cards. Soldiers now are asking for items they can use during their spare time, Griffin said.
Community members who know of other local servicemen stationed overseas who would like a gift bag are encouraged to e-mail Griffin at tgriffi@scarborough.k12.me.us., he said.
Financial donations for Operation Cupid may be mailed to Scarborough Middle School, 21 Quentin Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074. Damicis asks donors to make checks payable to Scarborough Middle School. Those who want to donate items for the gift bags may call him at 730-4945.
Money left over from Operation Cupid is donated to support programs for families of overseas veterans, Damicis said.