Students send Valentine's Day gift to Warwick soldier stationed in Iraq

Warwick - During February, everyone is cautioned not to forget to give some special person a gift for Valentine’s Day. And thanks to a thoughtful group of Warwick children, Private First Class Alex Rivera, a parishioner of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, and his buddy, Pvt. Jose Rodriguez, both stationed in Iraq, were not forgotten. As part of an outreach project initiated by volunteer teacher Joy Hansen, the St. Stephen’s Fifth Grade Religious Education class put together a Valentine’s Day “care” package for Rivera and Rodriguez. The package included a variety of canned goods, toiletries, reading materials, drinks, snacks and candy. The children also crafted and included Valentine’s Day Cards with prayer messages, thank you notes and wishes for a speedy return home. During a recent Saturday Religious Education class, Rivera’s mother, Millie, met with the children to express her appreciation. She also brought photographs of the two soldiers and answered questions about her son and his military service. Hansen and the children in her class then thanked the soldier’s mother for stopping by and presented her with roses, candy and printed inspirational prayers.