NJ Community Collects Silly String for Troops

STRATFORD, N.J. - November 27, 2006 (WPVI) -- It may seem odd, but Silly String is helping to save the lives of soldiers in Iraq and one local community is making a big effort to ship it overseas.

Among the dangers faced by the military fighting in Iraq are booby traps.

Nearly invisible wires trip the explosions, but soldiers and marines have found Silly String is one way to spot the sinister mechanism without setting off the trigger.

Sixth grade teacher Jane Maugeri demonstated Silly String's use in revealing otherwise stealth threads for students at St. Luke's School in Stratford on Monday.

It's all part of a drive by the student council and the parish community to collect cans of silly string to send to Iraq.

The request came from Marcelle and Ronald Shriver, whose 27-year-old son, Army Specialist Todd Shriver, is stationed in Ramadi.

The Shrivers published their son's request in parish bulletins at St. Luke's and Our Lady of Grace in Somerdale. It's gotten a very strong response.

Bill Reynolds of Berlin dropped off 30 cans on Monday morning after a trip to a dollar store.

Silly String is considered a hazardous material, so shipping it requires following certain guidelines. The Shrivers are working on it

The churches are accepting donations of Silly String and money for shipping. St. Luke's Church is located at 55 Warwick Road in Stratford. Our Lady of Grace is located at 35 White Horse Pike in Somerdale.

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