Jeffersonville day care works to help soldier father and his daughter deal with separation

July 01, 2008 10:08 am

— Five-year-old Laura Gillenwater grinned widely as she rubbed her glitter and paint-covered hands all over a banner reading, “Thank you for serving our country.”
“I’m painting for my dad,” Gillenwater said as she added more colors into the mix.
Gillenwater, her sister, 11-year-old Elizabeth, and the kindergarten/first-grade class at Park Place KidsCare in Jeffersonville worked on decorating the banner Friday to deliver to Sgt. Donald Gillenwater and those serving with him in Kuwait.
The class has sent three boxes so far and is working on its fourth.
This all started when Donald was called from the Army reserves and sent overseas in April, according to Joyce New, director/administrator of the day care. New said Elizabeth handled the change well, but her sister did not.
“When he first went away, Laura had a hard time accepting he was gone,” said Dawn Jones, Laura’s teacher.
So, Jones and New worked together to help the little girl. New said the goal was to do something that would keep Laura’s spirits up, while bringing her and her father together. That’s how the idea of making care packages started.
Jones said the projects have helped bring Laura out of her shell. She said the kids always enjoy making the packages.
“I don’t know if they completely understand it or not, but they know they are doing it for her dad,” Jones said.
More than just helping the girls, Jones also is trying to help Donald catch up with what he’s missing.
“He’s missing out on a lot,” she said. “He’s missing out on her (prekindergarten) graduation and her first day of school.”
Jones makes sure to take many pictures of Laura and allows her and her friends to take some, too, to send to Donald. The graduation ceremony was recorded, so he could watch it in Iraq.
“My dad appreciates the boxes they send,” Elizabeth said as she helped one of the young students paint the banner. She said her dad is scheduled to come back home around March.
New said the whole day care has been involved in sending cards and collecting items for Donald.
“He just has a larger family now,” New said.

Photos

Laura Gillenwater squeezes out some more paint onto the banner she and classmates were painting for her father, Sgt. Donald Gillenwater, and those serving with him in Kuwait. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

Aja Foster, center, and other classmates of Laura Gillenwater at Park Place KidsCare in Jeffersonville work on a banner to send Gillentater's father who is serving in Kuwait. Staff photo by C.E. Branham