Operation: LHS Paperclip

A Project with a Community Impact

By Dan Pearlman, Photos by Quinn Smith

Their goal: Collect 6 million paperclips – one for every Jewish person killed in the Holocaust.

Jen Candor is a U.S. history and World War II teacher at Gahanna Lincoln High School who is leading the project called Operation LHS Paperclip.

In 2014, Candor’s students began collecting paperclips that will eventually be part of a sculpture designed by local artist Steve Bush. The plan is for the sculpture to be displayed in a prominent location at GLHS so students and community members can watch as the number of paperclips collected increases. The objective is for the community to remember those who died in the Holocaust and to think about the social issues that continue in the world today.

A miniature replica of the sculpture designed by Steve Bush

“The Holocaust was about injustice, intolerance and discrimination, and it’s those words that my students could relate to,” Candor said. “Yes, we are a suburban community, but we are not immune to those issues.”

“This was meant to represent victims of the Holocaust, and it still does, but it now also represents others who have faced injustices in general,” Osman said. “I want to do my part to further the awareness and show the human side of the project. It makes it more real when you hear the stories of people who respond to our letters.”

“My students choose who they would like to write to, and the replies that are sent are heartfelt...”

As of mid-March, the students had collected 2,020,181 paperclips. Both Candor and her students are optimistic that they will reach their goal and will be able to continue to share what they learn with the community.

Monetary donations for the sculpture, paperclips and/or letters can be sent to GLHS, 140 Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43230. Donors are asked to direct contributions to the attention of Operation LHS Paperclip.

Jen Candor and Aliah Osman