Archway North Phoenix Brings Comfort to Military Travelers

Archway North Phoenix December 15, 2023 -

Kim Carson, a mother of a first grader enrolled at Archway North Phoenix, is also an employee at Wikki Stix, a toy company renowned for its hand-knitting yarn infused with a microcrystalline substance, giving it a sticky quality without the mess for glue or paste. These versatile “stix” can be crafted into both 3-D and flat designs and pictures.

Wikki Stix recently became aware of a commendable initiative spearheaded by one of their partner toy stores, Toy Nation. The store, located in the North Carolina airport, Charlotte’s Landing, expressed a desire to provide a personalized card from a child to every military member passing through their airport. Ms. Carson asked Archway North Phoenix to participate, and the students eagerly embraced this opportunity to create a token of gratitude to the men and women serving our country. Wikki Stix generously supplied all the necessary materials, while the students showcased their creativity in crafting the cards. Once completed, Wikki Stix collected the thoughtful cards and arranged for their shipment to Charlotte’s Landing for distribution.

In an official statement released by The Wikki Stix Co., they shared their enthusiasm about participating in a longstanding program sponsored by the USO Center at Charlotte Douglas Intl. Airport in Charlotte, NC. “In conjunction with over 40 partnering organizations, the USO arranges for food, drinks, gifts, cards and essentials for traveling soldiers who have just completed 10 grueling weeks of combat training at Ft. Jackson, SC.”

The statement continued, “The Wikki Stix company arranged for welcoming cards, created with Wikki Stix, to be created by children from Great Hearts Academies in Phoenix AZ,” continued the statement. “The program was such a hit with the school and the students, that over 800 cards were ultimately made and delivered to the program at the airport!”

Kem Clark, the President of The Wikki Stix Co., expressed his delight at the overwhelming response. “The USO Center actually has people walking the airport concourses, handing the cards out to servicemen. And one of the retail stores displayed some cards in their window,” he said. “And we were so thrilled with the response from the children at Great Hearts!”

Carson, the parent who connected the two organizations together considers the project a success. While we may never know the true impact this gesture on the countless military personnel who travel through the airport who receive these cards, we do know the students learned a powerful lesson in giving back, even when the outcomes are not immediately visible.

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