July 29, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III & IV • Page 15 MIDLAND PARK SIDEWALK SALE DAYS Thursday, Friday & Saturday, July 30, 31 & August 1  Sponsored by the Midland Park Chamber of Commerce ‘Today Show’ features ‘Pillows for Soldiers’ program Left: Ginny Fawcett and Chief Warrant Officer Joe Rahm. Right: Ginny Fawcett, students from the Needlecraft School and Chief Warrant Officer Joe Rahm. Ginny Fawcett, owner of the Needlecraft School in Midland Park for more than 30 years, got the surprise of her life last week when an American soldier whose photograph hangs on her wall showed up at her school to thank her and her students in person for the handmade pillows he used while he was stationed in Iraq. To make matters more exciting, the soldier’s visit was part of a segment aired on national television on NBC’s “Today Show.” “How wonderful is this. You’ve been up on my wall for years. This is the most exciting day of my life,” said a tearful Fawcett as she embraced Chief Warrant Officer Joe Rahm, who had been a pilot in the Alaska Army National Guard when he was deployed to Iraq. NBC flew Rahm to New Jersey for the visit with Fawcett, and then reporter Jenna Wolf and a camera crew accompanied him home to Montana, where his children now treasure the pillows their father used to sleep on and to support his back when flying. “When I found out the soldiers had to fold their clothes to support their heads, I cried,” Fawcett told the national audience. “I told my students, ‘We are going to make pillows: one for you, one for a soldier,’” she explained. The students in her class, who range in age from four years old to 18, cut, sew and stuff the colorful pillows, and Fawcett has them shipped to Iraq along with toiletries and other comfort items. “One little pillow means so much to the soldiers. It means somebody cares back home,” Rahm told the students gathered behind the school building as he embraced them and posed for photographs. They were all proudly wearing outfits they had sewn at the school. NBC producers had heard about Needlecraft School and its “Sewing for Soldiers” venture from former student Ellie Coromalis of Ridgewood, who interned at NBC over the summer and still helps her mentor during the school’s annual fashion show. “We hope that after seeing this story, people will do more for our soldiers,” “Today” Anchor Matt Lauer told the audience at the conclusion of the segment. The phone at the Needlecraft School has not stopped ringing since then, with people calling to see how they can help or do more. ��� Est. 1971 “One of NJ’s Largest and Most Complete Health Food Centers” ������������������� ��������������������������������������� ���� ������ ����� Selected groups of ladies’ famous brand ����������������������������� ������������������������ ����������� ���������������������������� ������������������������������ ���������������������� ���������������� • Solgar • Now • Blue Bonnet • Nature’s Plus • Kal Solaray • A&A Brand • Twin Labs • & Many More ����������������������������������� (Excludes sale items) � �������������������������������� With this ad, not to be combined with other discounts. Expires 8/15/09 ������������������������������������ Mon & Thurs 9-7 • Tues, Wed, Fri & Sat 9-6 • ������������������ 10% OFF ��������� �������� SIDEWALK DAYS SPECIAL ANY PURCHASE OF $29 OR MORE With This Coupon • Limit One Coupon Per Customer Exp. 8/31/09 SANDALS 50% OFF $ $ 5 Off 10 Off marty’s coupon ������������ YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER ������������������������������������������� marty’s coupon ��������������������� ���������������������� ANY PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE With This Coupon • Limit One Coupon Per Customer Exp. 8/31/09 Midland Park Shopping Center Godwin Ave. & Goffle Rd. (201) 857-2433 ������������������� �������������������������� Shop online MARTYSHOES.COM We honor major credit/debit cards. Not responsible for typographic errors. FOR THE STORE NEAREST YOU, Call 1-888-6-MARTYS (888-662-7897) FREE shipping on all orders over $29