Recently, designer and independent publisher David Kalvitis donated 500 of his popular Greatest Dot-to-Dot Super Challenge books to a local chapter of Blue Stars Mothers. The books were included in care packages distributed to American troops abroad, as well as to troops recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
fashion coats Kalvitis, who traditionally donates his award winning puzzle books to local charities around the holidays, wanted to extend his contributions to include the men and women serving in the military. "Being away from your family around the holidays has got to be difficult," Kalvitis stated, "If my books can help pass the time or take the troops' minds off their troubles or loneliness that would be a wonderful gift."
The Blue Star Mothers of America, a non-partisan, non-political organization of mothers "who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military," was formed during World War II to support our troops. They have helped American troops and veterans through sixty eight years and five wars. It is an organization Kalvitis was honored to help. "I was very pleased to find the Blue Star organization," Kalvitis said, "They are very organized and professional, and I was impressed with how quickly they included my books in their gift bags for the troops."
According to Sue Louis of the Rochester, New York chapter of Blue Star Mothers, the holiday care packages were sent to troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. When asked about how Kalvitis's puzzle books might be useful to the troops, Sue Louis said, "From my own sons' experiences there are times, such as flights to and from deployment sites, where it would be nice to have an activity to pass the time. While working or away from his base for extended periods, it is hard to start a book, put it down for a week or two and then try and return to reading it. Kalvitis's puzzles allow for starting up from where they left off without much hesitation."
In addition to reaching troops in the field, the books also accompanied care packages sent to injured troops recovering Stateside. "Books were sent along with clothing to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for their Wounded Warrior Transition Program," stated Sue Louis, "The items are given to recovering military and in some cases family who have come urgently to be at the bedside of their wounded family member. The Dot-to-Dot books serve as a diversion while waiting for treatments and procedures, or a way to pass time when immobile and confined to bed for extended periods."
Lauded by experts in the toy industry, the Greatest-Dot-to-Dot Super Challenge series provides a variety of unique, challenging connect-the-dots, some of which boast over a thousand dots. Kalvitis's puzzles have been used by educators to aid students in learning and physical therapists to aid patients in rehabilitation. It was after receiving comments from customers saying they found his puzzles helpful in their physical therapy that Kalvitis decided to contact local organizations in hopes of donating his books to troops recovering from injuries attained in service. It is his belief that with the help of Blue Star Mothers, his puzzle books will provide an enjoyable distraction for injured and active troops alike. Kalvitis said, "It is my hope that by partnering with Blue Star Mothers my puzzle books can help bring a moment of peace to the troops and their families this holiday season."
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