Francis Tuttle DECA students will be sending more than one thousand pounds of supplies to the military’s first Female Engagement Team, based in Afghanistan. The supplies were collected through their community service project, Operation: Blue Diamond, over the past few weeks.
The care packages will be sent directly to an Oklahoma native and former Francis Tuttle cosmetology student, one of 34 women serving on this elite team which has been deployed to serve in close alignment with a special forces unit in Afghanistan. The team is on the front lines working with Afghan women and children. The travel size soap, shampoo, lotion and other products help them build rapport and complete their mission.
DECA students have been recognized for their efforts by a commendation from Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, as well as a citation of congratulations from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, pursuant to the motion of Representative Mike Shelton.
“We started this community service project to give high school students an opportunity to help our military and to help this historic group. We are so thankful for the generous donations from the community,” said Francis Tuttle DECA chapter president, Corey Winston.
The DECA students already sent their first shipment of travel size personal hygiene products to the team. Because of safety reasons the students cannot identify the female soldier or use her name, but they have corresponded with her through email.
Part of one correspondence read: “My team and I, Cultural Support Team 11, would like to express our gratitude for all of your gifts, prayers and support. We are receiving the packages one at a time. Each time they come in, it brings warmth to our hearts and a smile to our faces.”
The Francis Tuttle DECA students would like to thank the community for helping them reach their goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of products. The students also raised enough money to cover the cost of shipment.
For more information, about the Francis Tuttle DECA chapter and about Operation Blue Diamond, call the DECA chapter at 405-717-4915.