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Berkshire Native Asks for Local SupportBy Jen Thomas - November 14, 2007
NORTH ADAMS - City native Alicia Cellana has nothing but good things to say about the Berkshires.
A student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Cellana often gushes about her hometown, regaling her friends with stories about the beauty of the landscape and the generosity of the people.
Now, she's asking the Berkshires to prove her kind words were no lie.
The 2003 Drury High School graduate has organized a cross-continental card drive that will ship nearly 1,000 personal letters and holiday cards to Marines serving in Iraq and in North Africa, and she needs area residents to help her make a difference.
"I hope my positive feeling about Berkshire County is right," Cellana said on Tuesday. "The soldiers who are serving are so selfless. It would be so nice for them to know that there are people from a small town in northwestern Massachusetts pulling for them."
Launched this fall, the card drive began as a pet project of Cellana's, who had previously spearheaded an effort to send holiday cards to nursing homes near her campus. The architecture and archaeology major contacted elementary and middle schools in North Adams, Adams and Clarksburg, receiving about 300 pledged cards due to be sent out at the end of this month.
But, to reach her goal of 900 holiday cards, Cellana hopes to inspire more Berkshire natives to get involved.
"With so many generous people living in our little corner of New England, I fully believe that we could provide a much better holiday season for many deployed Marines," she said. "As the holidays approach, we are asking the people of Berkshire County to sit down and write out a holiday card or a letter to let the Marines know that they are supported, appreciated by those at home and that Americans are truly grateful for the sacrifices they make."
Card drop-offs will begin this weekend in North Adams and Williamstown. Those who have created cards can bring them to the North Adams Fire Department or to the David and Joyce Milne Public Library in Williamstown between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
They can also be dropped off at the North Adams Public Library on Monday, Nov. 19, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 26, between 2 and 6 p.m.
"People can get involved in anyway they want. I'm looking for anybody who wants to involve themselves in this, anyone who is gracious enough to sit down for 15 minutes and make a difference in a soldier's life," said Cellana.
The letters and cards must not be sealed and any that are will not be sent to troops. Additionally, all correspondence will be subject to a brief examination to ensure that no negative messages are sent to soldiers.
Cellana also asks that all religious or political affiliations remain out of the cards and letters.
"We are asking everyone and anyone to participate in this. With so many good citizens in the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, we could easily get cards to many, many units of Marines who are spending their holidays overseas," said Cellana.
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Hey there Alicia,
Wonderful idea, I will be joining the letterwriters | | from: Nancy O'Brien | on: 11-14-2007 |
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| Sounds like a great idea, Lish!!! | | from: Emily Cellana | on: 11-14-2007 |
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