By ALYSSA FLECK
Contributing Writer
September 29, 2008 04:00 am
—
PLATTSBURGH -- When Linda Ward received a package on July 29, the last thing she expected to open was a 20-year-overdue present from friends in Russia.
But that's exactly what it was. A book, a hand-written letter and photographs from students she worked with throughout the early '90s was delivered to her doorstep.
The package was meant to reach her in October 1989, but because the woman responsible for delivering it forgot to do so, Ward did not receive it until this year.
STARTED WITH CLUB
Under the umbrella of the Plattsburgh YMCA, Ward had organized an international club in 1988, focusing on teaching children of Plattsburgh about children in other countries.
"My oldest daughter was in middle school, and I realized (that) while she had the opportunity to visit other places, many of her friends and classmates did not."
The club, later named Y Kids Want Peace, became only the second Russian youth exchange in the country, just following a program organized in Burlington.
Later in 1988, Ward was introduced to Mary Socket of New York City, who was organizing an international letter-writing project for children. Coincidentally, Ward later learned that Socket was born in Plattsburgh and continues to visit during the summers.
"Her belief was that kids could make a difference in world peace," Ward said.
Ward became involved with that program, Kids Meeting Kids, and over the next few years played a part in the exchange of letters between American and Russian children. She began to drift from Y Kids Want Peace and focused more on Kids Meeting Kids.
EXCHANGE TRIPS
Kids Meeting Kids was contacted by an organization in Leningrad, Russia, now St. Petersburg, with hopes for a youth exchange.
In 1989, the Plattsburgh International Club raised $25,000 through fundraising and donations to host 20 children and five adults from Russia. A Chicago-based computer company with a branch in St. Petersburg covered their travel expenses.
"We fell in love with one another," Ward said. "Everything that transpired between these groups of people was truly based on our instinct as people to find out about one another, and what we ultimately learned is that we're basically the same."
The next year, 18 middle-school and high-school children and seven adults from Plattsburgh traveled to Leningrad to visit those who had previously visited Plattsburgh.
"This was the beginning of very long and wonderful friendships between many people in Plattsburgh and Leningrad," Ward said.
Throughout the early '90s, exchanges continued to take place through the organization of Ward, the YMCA and American/Russian programs developed by Plattsburgh State and other local groups.
LATE ARRIVAL
When Ward received the package this year, a letter was attached that read, "I hope you are the Linda Ward who was supposed to receive this package, but if not, please donate the book to a public library."
Ward said the woman had been approached while visiting Russia in '89 and was asked to bring the package to the States when she returned.
The woman explained that she had lost track of the package, and it did not surface again until she was cleaning her basement this past summer. She sincerely apologized for the delay and hoped Ward would understand.
"Although I was surprised and delighted to receive this gift, it made (me) feel badly because the group of Russian children who sent it never received a reply," Ward said.
Since receiving the package, Ward has found a Web site for Ryazan, Russia and plans to e-mail a letter with what she said will be a long-overdue thank you for the gift from the school children.
CUTTING EDGE'
Ward said the package brought back many memories of her experiences with the youth exchange.
"Plattsburgh really was on the cutting edge of bridging the gap between two countries, and we didn't even know it.
"We just sort of fell into these opportunities and kind of really naively accepted the responsibility of hosting these people, not knowing anything at all about what we were getting into," Ward said.
"And what we got into was just one of the best experiences that I personally have ever had in my life."
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Photos
Linda Ward