Local Youth
Reach Out To
Military Families
Purdue Extension offices are
distributing care packages for military
families that were assembled by LIFE
(LaGrange Independent Foundation
for Endowments) members and many
other students during LEAP – Leaders Excited About Philanthropy,
which took place earlier this spring at
Lakeland High School. LIFE is a youth
philanthropy pod composed of twenty
students from the four county schools
and supported by the LaGrange County
Community Foundation as well as a
grant from the Dekko Foundation.
The students assembled 41 of the
“Hero Packs” for families who have
children with at least one parent currently deployed. Currently LaGrange
County has 54 children with a parent
or sibling serving in the military.
“Indiana is the sixth largest
National Guard state,” said Ryan
Wynkoop, Coordinator of Indiana Operation: Military Kids. “We will work
with the Indiana National Guard and
Family Readiness Groups to make sure
Indiana’s military kids are recognized
and supported.”
The packs contain items like coloring books, small toys, books, pens and
other items. Also included are local materials like a brochure providing information about 4-H, and a handwritten
letter from a 4-H member or student to
the family. The products were donated
by LIFE (LaGrange Independent Foundation for Endowments).
The handwritten letters offer support and thanks to the military families. Those students who are 4-Hers
also share their experiences in 4-H and
encourage families to become active in
4-H within their county. In addition,
youth with parents in the military can
join 4-H and remain active no matter
wh