Reminder!

Homemade Valentine's Day Cards, due to the Youth Bureau by Friday, 2/10/2023


The St. Lawrence County Teen Ambassadors discussed interest in supporting our troops and planning RED (Remembering Everyone Deployed) activities within their home schools. In September 2022, they had the opportunity to adopt Army Brigade #369 currently deployed overseas in Kuwait. In December, Teen Ambassadors helped decorate cards with messages of gratitude and holiday wishes. Gouverneur high school's National Honor Society students and elementary classrooms also contributed homemade cards.

For Valentine's Day, troops are receiving homemade cards from students at Heuvelton Central, Madill Elementary in Ogdensburg, and the LTC at Clifton-Fine hospital.

The cards have been received really well and the Youth Bureau received a video thank-you message from a large group of deployed troops. For some troops, this is their first deployment and feelings of homesickness are prevalent during holidays.

The Youth Committee plans to send Easter wishes in April. If you are an organization, or classroom, and would like to be part of an Easter care package, please contact the Youth Bureau by emailing Alexa Backus Chase at AChase@stlawco.org

This year has been very humbling and eye-opening experience. Having grown up in the North Country, and being so close to Fort Drum, I heard a lot about deployed soldiers and families enduring the time apart from their loved one. Yet, I never fully appreciated it until I'm faced with having to "survive deployment" while my husband is deployed in Kuwait.

This is my husband's last deployment. This year marks his 40th year having served in the Army National Guard, a milestone truly worth acknowledging. A good friend of mine recently encouraged me to celebrate this final deployment and support my husband's excitement when he calls and shares his good days and wins. Everyday I remind myself to do so because deployment is not easy.

Deployment is not easy because of the additional responsibilities that falls on one's shoulders on top of transitioning from companionship to being completely alone. Managing household finances, taking care of the vehicles, family pets, errands, cleaning, laundry while working full time and attending evening meetings is hard. With the winter season, add shoveling and plowing too.

Loneliness creeps in too. It's really quiet in my home now. Our movie nights, drives, walks, dates, and time spent with friends are missed. I've learned to embrace this time by completing household projects and catching up on my personal "to-do's." Our whole place is almost repainted!

It's always been hard for me to accept help but it's been amazing and truly heart-warming to see friends and acquaintances offering their help, time, and support. THANK YOU to Rodney's friends who show up and plow when I'm completely overwhelmed. THANK YOU to Deanna and Phil who drove from Gouverneur during the Christmas blizzard to help me with the last few hours of shoveling and digging our vehicles out. Thank you to my Secretary, Rebekah, for supporting me on a daily basis. Thank you to my friends for the texts, calls, hugs, and occasional dinners. Thank you to my sister, daughter, son in law, and dad who have been incredibly supportive. Thank you to everyone who asks, "how are you doing?" Those words mean a lot.

If you know a military spouse, children, families of a deployed soldier or someone living alone or facing a challenging time, please check in with them. During this humbling time, I've learned that it takes a village to lift individuals. Ask the question, "how are you doing?" Offer to help with a task or chore. Bring a homemade meal or help a child with homework or a shared activity. It makes a difference and is impactful. Don't assume people are okay. Check in.

Lastly, if you are a military spouse or family, we want to hear from you. Please contact us so we can open dialogue and ask, "how are you doing?" We would love to share your experiences in next month's newsletter. AChase@stlawco.org

Valentine's Day Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Materials :

20-24 Strawberries

16 Oz White, milk, or dark chocolate

2 Tbsp Finely Crushed Freeze Dried Raspberries

1/4 C Finely Crushed Graham Crackers

Steps :

  • Rinse and pat dry your strawberries.
  • Microwave chocolate in 10 second increments and stir. It will seem like nothing is happening in the beginning but you just have to be patient. Chocolate needs to melt slowly to get the right shine and consistency. After about 60-90 seconds your chocolate should be ready.
  • Divide the chocolate evenly between 2 small bowls. In one bowl mix in the freeze dried raspberries.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Take a strawberry and grasp it by the leaves. Dip the strawberry into the chocolate. Shake off any excess chocolate, you want the chocolate to stop running off the strawberry. Place it on the sheet pan to cool and harden. If your chocolate starts to solidify in the process just pop it into the microwave for 10 seconds.
  • Get creative with decorating! Dip the strawberries into the graham crackers immediately after the chocolate for a cheesecake style. Drizzle in alternating colors for a classic effect. Or do a double dip in each color (let the first layer harden first before the second dip).
  • Let cool and harden. Share with someone you love!

Do you work with youth in St. Lawrence County and would like to be able to network with other youth-serving organizations, programs, and professionals? We offer virtual quarterly meetings which offer great networking opportunities. Email Alexa Backus Chase for more information ABackus@stlawco.org or call the Youth Bureau at 315.379.9464.


2023 Winterfest button design created by: Canton Central School student, Newt Bregg


Winterfest buttons can be purchased for $3.00 a button and 1 chance to win or $5.00 for one button and 2 chances to win.






NYPA hosting STEM event for kids Thursdays in February in Massena

(Click to read more)


St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau

80 State Highway 310

Canton, New York 13617

315-379-9464

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