How can a bunch Little Green Man (LGM’s), a roll of masking tape and an old ugly couch help save a school, a very special teacher and wounded soldiers around the country?  Read Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes and see how Ms. Loupe’s sixth grade class comes together with her caring help and creativity, a little team work and of course the LGM’s.  As the school year starts, Ms. Loupe encourages her students to use their imagination in the taped off space at the front of the classroom, introducing them to improvisational theater and opening them up to their own potential.  But, when her brother goes missing in Afghanistan, it’s the students turn to use their imagination and encourage Ms. Loupe.  As the newly formed Ugly Couch Players, the students put everything Ms. Loupe has taught them and about 100,000 LGM’s to work, raising awareness about their school and money to help in the care of wounded soldiers.  Even though Operation Yes takes place on an Air Force Base, the characters are everyday kids, dealing some of the same stuff kids here in Barberton have to deal with … because we all are a Work In Progress.
 
You don’t have to have 100,000 LGM’s to help out service men and women, you can show them you care and appreciate what they do by sending a Christmas card, and the Red Cross can help you do that: http://www.redcross.org/ca/los-angeles/ways-to-donate/individual-gifts/holiday-mail-for-heroes.  The author’s husband was in the Air Force, so she knows all about military life, visit sarahlewisholmes.com to learn more about the author and her books, plus you can look through her list of resources for military families, and maybe find other ways you can help.