Operation Kids 4 Troops distributes letters Published Oct. 11, 2007 By Capt. Polly Orcutt 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- About four years ago Tech. Sgt. Spencer Cluff and his wife, Carrie, were watching the news about the war in Iraq. Sergeant Cluff wanted to do more for the troops than watch them on TV and the idea for Operation Kids 4 Troops was formed. Operation Kids 4 Troops began as a letter-writing campaign, a way to get local Oklahoma kids involved with military members serving overseas. It began with just two schools. Sergeant Cluff, 507th Medical Squadron, teaches at Metro Tech and his wife is also a teacher. They asked their classes to write letters to the troops to show their support and pride in what the military does everyday. Since the program began, the Cluffs have received more than 125,000 letters to be distributed to the troops serving in the Middle East. Since the first year, the program has expanded from just two schools to all 537 school districts in Oklahoma. Now the program is national with thousands of school districts from 18 states currently participating. "My goal for this year is 250,000 letters," Sergeant Cluff said. "A quarter of a million would be nice." The Cluffs have a post office box where they receive all of the letters. They screen all of the letters to ensure that the appropriate message is reaching the troops. "We sometimes don't even get out of the post office parking lot before we are opening a letter. We see a new state and get excited," Sergeant Cluff said. The letters ranging from kids to older adults can be touching. "We received a letter from a child and he asked if the person reading it was in the Army," Sergeant Cluff said. The letter went on to say if the person was to say "Hi" to his dad who is in the Army and serving overseas. The child said his dad had been gone a long time and he missed him a lot. He has also received thank-you letters from some troops who received letters through Operation Kids 4 Troops. Initially all letters were mailed to specific troops who were serving overseas, but because postage is expensive Operation Kids 4 Troops has expanded to include the Internet. "The Internet allows people to send a letter anytime, day or night," Sergeant Cluff said. Operation Kids 4 Troops is also working with Operation Gratitude out of Encino, Calif., which send care packages to deployed troops. "Operation Gratitude contacted us about sending them letters to enclose with their packages," he said. "We sent them about 20,000 letters so far." The sheer number of letters makes it difficult and time consuming for the Cluffs to read. They have had help from Metro Tech employees. "People have donated time over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to read letters, but we are always looking for people who would like donate time to help out," Sergeant Cluff said. Operation Kids 4 Troops accepts letter from anyone who would like to write to deployed members and also accepts names of deployed members who would like to receive letters. While sitting on his couch watching the news four years ago Sergeant Cluff never imagined his program would reach so many people. "I hoped it would work, hoped something big would happen," Sergeant Cluff said. Earlier this year Operation Kids 4 Troops was recognized by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and April 10, 2007 was proclaimed Operation Kids 4 Troops Day. Sergeant Cluff was also named the Canadian County Outstanding Citizen for his efforts with the program. "This has been a humbling experience," Sergeant Cluff said. "People are trusting me with their heartfelt letters." Because the program keeps growing and expanding, Sergeant Cluff is looking for a place to store the mail and for people to help sort through it all. For more information on Operation Kids 4 Troops, call Sergeant Cluff at 414-5567 or visit the Web site at www.kids4troops.com and click the "Contact Us" tab.