for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com DECEMBER 12, 2013 • The Courier SUN 3 HB soldier is HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS BY MAGIE HAYES mhayes@queenscourier.com After nine long months overseas, Sergeant Kristianpeter DiStefano is home in Howard Beach. His arrival back stateside on Friday, December 6 was delayed two hours after his airplane seat was given away, said Ellen Buonpastore, DiStefano’s mother. “He was dressed in full uniform, and they gave his seat away,” Buonpastore said. But the sergeant eventually flew to LaGuardia Airport, from which DiStefano, 29, went directly to Lenny’s Clam Bar, where he was greeted by family, friends and local elected officials. His mother said it feels “wonderful” to have her only son home. “Now I’m going to fatten him up, make him happy,” Buonpastore said. “I’m very proud of him.” This was DiStefano’s fifth deployment, but first to Afghanistan. The career- Army man was previously stationed in Iraq and Kuwait. He is scheduled to deploy again, this time to Africa at the end of January. “He tells me, ‘Mom, I go back because now somebody Sergeant Kristianpeter DiStefano returned from overseas on Friday, December 6. else gets to go home and see their mom and their family,’” Buonpastore said. “It’s a brotherhood.” The Army man didn’t always know he wanted to join the ranks, but after he did, his mother said he has come to love the job. “He loves taking care of the younger soldiers,” she said. “A lot of kids are coming out PHOTO BY JOANN ARIOLA of foster care and they have nowhere to go, so they wind up in the Army. My son takes them under his wing.” “He’s a rough guy with a big heart,” she continued. STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT GIVING BACK BY MAGIE HAYES mhayes@queenscourier.com Howard Beach’s P.S. 207 is getting into the spirit of giving this holiday season. Marine Corps Sergeants Mike Roy and Miguel Villalobos brought the Toys for Tots donation program to the 88th Street school on Friday, December 6. “A lot of kids don’t even know about the program,” Villalobos said. “Doing a little outreach opens their minds.” In conjunction with the Marine Corps and the Howard Beach Kiwanis Club, P.S. 207 will be collecting toys under its Christmas tree until Wednesday, December 18. “This community was so devastated after Sandy. They the students know what it’s like to lose everything,” said Melissa Martin, P.S. 207 guidance counselor. “Yes, we have come back and rebuilt, but so many people haven’t.” The sergeants not only brought the toy-giving program to the school, but also addressed the monthly virtue of kindness. “If you have a lot to give, don’t be afraid to give to someone who doesn’t have anything,” Villalobos said. “They’re going to go from having nothing to just having that coat, that Barbie doll.” Each month, a select group of eight middle school students are recognized for enacting the month’s virtue. At the Marine Corps assembly, 6th through 8th graders were selected for showing November’s virtue, perseverance. Jonathan Durso, 7th grader, said he “studied hard” and did his best, and was recognized for his achievements. “I tried my best with grades and homework, and I made sure I got everything in on time,” said Alessia Basone, also a 7th grade winner. Martin said the monthly virtues program “teaches kids character development,” and the newly-introduced theme of kindness, paired with Toys for Tots, is intended to promote giving to those less fortunate. “It starts them off early with the idea that it’s good to give,” Roy said. THE COURIER/Photo by Maggie Hayes The Marine Corps brought Toys for Tots to P.S./M.S. 207 as they kick off a month of “kindness.”
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