Spreading holiday cheer to troops overseas

KIMBERLY, Wis. (WFRV) - The Desert Veterans of Wisconsin group in Green Bay is sending care packages to local marines who can't come home for the holidays. Some area students are also making it their mission to give thanks.

Ms. Voight's 2nd grade class at Sunrise School in Kimberly is helping to bring a bit more holiday cheer to local troops stationed overseas.

"I hope you have a great holiday because you deserve the best, from your friend Lane," Lane Boucher wrote in his card.

The students made cards for a group of Marines in Afghanistan.

"We care about them and they can't make it home for Christmas," Sydney Hanson said.

"You wouldn't believe how many kids at Thanksgiving said they were thankful for their freedom, for police officers, they're thankful for soldiers," Stephanie Voight, 2nd grade teacher, explained. "They're thankful for everything and this is just a way they can show that."

The cards will be part of care packages sent by the Desert Veterans of Wisconsin.

"There's always something special about the genuine love and compassion that comes from a child," Mark Bonovetz, with Desert Veterans of Wisconsin, said.

Bonovetz is collecting warm clothing and non-perishable snacks to send overseas.

"Just to kind of show them we're thinking about you back here," he explained. "Here's what we got going on, a little taste of home. I know one of the marine's wives even put a pine branch inside one of the boxes so when he took it out he could smell back here."

It's a little piece of home to wake up to on Christmas morning.

"Dear Service Member, you are my favorite friend," wrote Hanson.

"Because they are special and they're good because they fight for our country," added Boucher.

The care packages will be sent out Saturday, but the group is still collecting donations to include. Things like thermal socks, shirts and any non-perishable food items.

If you'd like to help, call Mark Bonovetz at 920-288-9189.