"This year, each grade decided to collect items for hygiene kits for our combat support hospitals in Afghanistan and Iraq," said St. Alphonsus teacher Anita Fleming. "They've been collecting chap stick, shampoo and personal care items."
Dozens of care packages will be sent to the relief organization Soldier's Angels to help wounded service members.
"It's awesome. When these guys get hurt out there, they end up pretty much with nothing," said Army veteran Sgt. John Fleming.
Since last week, the little kids have carried in bathroom items and the bigger kids have collected treats, like cocoa and instant oatmeal.
"I hope it makes them feel good," said student Brandon Greene.
"I know from personal experience that soldiers don't have, really, anything when they're over there. I think it's really nice for kids our age to be able to help out and feel they had a part in making someone's day a lot better," said Megan McCloskey.
On Thursday, the students will put together the packages full of toiletries for wounded soldiers along with rosaries, fleece blankets and care packages for a little taste of home.
This is not the first time the students here have reached out to troops. In fact, on Monday, they received a flag flown in Iraq as a thank you for last year's drive in which they collected phone cards for soldiers so they can call home.
"The packages, anything the children are sending over, the letters, they are so appreciated by the men and women overseas," said Connie Ginther of Soldier's Angles.
Soon enough, the soldiers will have reason again to appreciate the children of St. Alphonsus.
