Tuesday's Children bid a fond farewell to the West Point Mentoring Program on May 9th, 2008.  With six out for seven cadet mentors graduating this May, Tuesday's Children has ended the site based mentoring program taking place at the West Point United States Military Academy.  Since 2003, Tuesday's Children has partnered with West Point to recruit cadets as mentors and use the campus as a facility for monthly events.  Over the three years, there have been 18 matches; many of which reached the three year match anniversary mark! 

On Friday May 9th, families, mentors and staff gathered to thank each person for their involvement and celebrate their accomplishments.  Each match was personally recognized for their match commitment and it was announced where each cadet is headed after graduation.  Mentees and Mentors were given yearbooks and certificates.  Officer in Charge Major Brian Dietzman, Cadet David Addams and Director of Mentoring Sara Wingerath spoke about the experience and what it has meant to them to see each mentor and mentee mature and grow throughout the life of the program.  Unfortunately Tuesday's Children President Carmine Calzonetti could not attend, due to a prior commitment, but he did send along his appreciation in a speech presented by Assistant to the President Hayley Kucich. 

Cadets and Families worked on Care Cards throughout the evening in an effort to support soldiers recovering at Brooks Army Medical Center.  Care Cards, founded by Hayley Kucich, is created to organize others to make cards for people who need a special note of celebration, gratitude or wellness.  One mentee wrote in the card to a wounded solider "Thank you for your service.  It will not be forgotten."

Hayley told Sara after the event "What better mentor for these kids than West Point cadets.  It was truly moving to see how much the mentoring program has meant to the mentors, mentees, and their families .  Clearly, friendships and life lessons have emerged from these mentoring relationships that will continue on throughout their lives, leaving a lasting impression on all."

Sara Wingerath said in her speech "Since 2006, I have had the honor of working with the Cadets at this venerable institution, and I have seen first hand the wonderful mentors the Cadets could be, and the amazing bonds formed with the children in our program.   I have also seen mentees that are now young men and women who we know will meet any challenge set in front of them.  While this chapter of Tuesday’s Children’s involvement with West Point is set to end, we take with us, as many of the children whose lives you have touched have taken with them, the memories shared and the relationships that were formed.  On behalf of myself and Tuesday’s Children, thank you for your commitment and participation in this program, thank you for your continued and future commitment to this Country, and good luck.".  Tuesday's Children wishes cadets Eric Wong, Zach Booms, Samir Patel, William Green, Mike Platek, David Addams, Jordan Cross and Major Brian Dietzman lots of luck and happiness at their next post.  We thank each of them for their years of service to our organization.  Tuesday's Children also wishes to thank each of the families who have supported the program and stayed involved.