While Ukraine may be a world away, TBS is still trying to help. The advisories of Mrs. Lindsey Tanona and Mrs. Stacy Schnurr are collecting supplies for the troops in Ukraine who are battling for their country’s freedom and independence after neighboring Russia invaded the nation six weeks ago. Figures have varied, but according to The Washington Post, more than 2,000 Ukrainians have died in the war thus far. 

“In middle school, advisory groups participate in community service projects to benefit charitable organizations, the school, and our community,” said Schnurr, the eighth-grade science teacher. “This year, Schnurr and Tanona advisories are collecting items to ship to military personnel in Ukraine.”

The items are to help the soldiers stay comfortable, healthy, and entertained. Some items that are being collected are toiletries, protein bars, and snacks, drink mixes, hand warmers, playing cards, and puzzle books. 

“The ability to have hand warmers, power drinks, protein bars, protein drinks, snack packages, some nice shampoo and conditioner, and things like that [would be great],” said Tanona, one of the Middle School’s math teachers. 

They have also managed to collect a fair amount of the items requested. 

“Our school community has been very generous,” said Schnurr. “We are currently storing a large quantity of assorted items in our classrooms. In addition, students are writing cards with words of encouragement to include with our donations. I don’t know which items will be most useful or appreciated, as I can’t imagine what conditions soldiers face, or what their future needs will be,” said Schnurr. “I do think that it is most important, through our actions and voices, to let them know that we are thinking of them and that we care.”

The drive has been a meaningful one for the students. 

“We just want to find the best way to support these people that are trying so hard to fight for their country,” said eighth-grader London Allen, a member of Tanona’s advisory. “I think that [companies such as Epic Games] are great because they need all the support they can get right now, and that there are different people trying to help out.”

Epic Games, a video game company that owns Fortnite, is earmarking all in-game purchases to buy supplies for the Ukrainian people. 

“I think that it is great that some people are doing their part and trying to help in any way they can,” said eighth-grade student Sofia Balistreri.

For some individuals, like Schnurr, the war in Ukraine hits close to home.

“This service project means a lot to me because I come from a military family, and I grew up hearing first-person accounts of war-torn eastern Europe from my grandparents,” said Schnurr. “My grandmother is the only member of her family to escape from Ukraine during a time of war and starvation in the 30s,” she said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this project, and for the care and generosity of our school and local community.”