The Dent Elementary School ‘second grade elves’ did it again.

For the eighth year, the second grade classes at the Escalon school pulled together and prepared care packages from home, sent off to military men and women across the country and around the world for the holidays.

“Eighteen care packages went out,” said second grade teacher Katie Bartelink, who helps coordinate the holiday box program.

One was sent to Poland, where Escalon High School graduate Noah Harris is currently stationed, while others are going to England, Japan, the Middle East and to a veterans’ program based out of Los Angeles.

Also, the USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier, was due to receive one and another was going to the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, where the brother of Dent teacher Mrs. Taylor – Joseph Gutierrez – is currently deployed.

“All second graders at Dent are responsible for the bags of donation items, including toiletries, snacks, books, games, and some shared their own Halloween candy,” explained Bartelink. “The students wrote heartfelt letters, which were included in the boxes. Some families made monetary donations to help with the shipping costs.”

This year, the total to ship the 18 boxes to the wide variety of destinations was $320.

Second grade classes at Dent include those of Mrs. Lueck and Mrs. Bartelink; Mrs. Taylor; Mrs. Shultz; Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Pettitt. The care packages were shipped out over the Thanksgiving break to make sure they reach their destination in time for the Christmas holiday.