One hundred eleven boxes of granola bars, 62 bags of Hershey Kisses and 40 handwritten letters of hakarat hatov were packaged and sent as mishloach manot—along with personal letters—to help Jewish troops serving in the U.S. Military around the world celebrate the upcoming Purim holiday. A lower school chesed project at Schechter, the effort was inspired by the school’s personal connection with Lt. Col. Michael Dann, father of Noah in fourth grade, who has served in the U.S. Army for the past 15 years. SSDS Bergen worked with Rockland County-based Kosher Troops, founded to help Jewish servicemen and women feel connected to the Jewish community while away from home, and celebrate the Jewish holidays and Shabbat by sending care packages. “Thank you for your bravery,” wrote 8-year-old Lielle. “I hope you enjoy the mishloach manot for Purim. Soldiers are very important to us; There are four in my family.”