Spitler students send soldiers Christmas cheer

Spitler Elementary School Principal Brandon Bruce (front right), Hart Police Officer and National Guard soldier Andrew Moore, Dean of Students Shelly Lewandowski, (front left) second grade teacher Megan Schoch and her class pose for a photo before the 778 Christmas cards that students made are sent out to Michigan National Guard soldiers.

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

HART — Students at Spitler Elementary School made 778 Christmas cards that were sent to Michigan National Guard soldiers thanks to their connection with Hart Police Officer and National Guard soldier Andrew Moore.

Moore, who belongs to the 210th Military Police Battalion based in Taylor, Michigan, has served in the National Guard for nine years. He has been an officer with the Hart Police Department for four years.

“The cards are going to be distributed to part of the battalion and to our companies that we oversee,” said Moore.

The day that Moore picked up the cards to send out to his fellow soldiers, he wore his military fatigues instead of his police uniform.  

“Every grade level jumped on board,” said Spitler Principal Brandon Bruce. “Officer Moore came in and pitched this idea, and we threw a challenge out to our teachers and kids. Some of the kids made multiple cards — they just loved the idea. They’re very creative. The kids really appreciated the opportunity to do it, and they took it by storm. It has been a lot of fun.”

With a school enrollment of 400, the students made nearly double the amount of cards. Spitler Dean of Students Shelly Lewandowski kept a tally of the cards and packed them in decorative boxes for delivery.

“The holidays are kind of a stressful time for soldiers,” said Moore. “Some soldiers feel like, ‘Hey, is what I’m doing recognized? Am I being noticed for the service?’

“People say the National Guard is a ‘weekend warrior’ thing, so sometimes we get ignored. But there is a lot of sacrifice that comes with it — being away from our families and being pulled from our civilian jobs. It can be stressful for a lot of soldiers. So I just thought this was a cool way if we have the resources of reaching out to an elementary school. Hart is the perfect town to do this. The Little Pirates love doing things like this.”

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