Students Spread Holiday Cheer In Iraq

Although many stationed in Iraq won't make it home for Christmas, hundreds of local students are making sure the troops know they aren't forgotten.

The Elks and Alan Jay Automotive Network are teaming with the schools to send handmade Christmas cards to the Middle East.

Roberta Peck's sixth-grade art class at Hill-Gustat Middle School was working last week making holiday cards.

Although none of the students knew Iraq is located in the Middle East, several said they were personally impacted by the war and knew members of the armed forces stationed in Iraq.

Jordan Hay said the soldiers were "fighting for our freedom," and Dominique Juliano said the troops are "trying to give Iraqi people their freedom."

Joshua Paneque said the U.S. is "helping the poor and needy."

Nicole Darder and Palynette Padro wanted to send cards so that they can make the soldiers happy and cheer them up for the holidays. Caleb McGinnis wants those far from home to feel better.

Thirty-three-year veteran teacher Peck wants the greeting cards to showcase the best of students' skills.

"My goal as an art teacher is to create such high-quality cards that these young men and women will put them up in the barracks," Peck said.

Donna Klemm is the veterans committee chairwoman of Sebring Elks and helped organize the project.
"It brought tears to my eyes," said Klemm, when she saw the students working on the cards. "We tried to reach out to them, but we didn't realize that kids cared so much, were gung-ho and took this to heart."

Santiago Hernandez is a sales manager of Alan Jay Pontiac Buick GMC Inc. of Sebring and was excited to get an early start to ensure the greetings arrive on time.

"This is something which will hopefully boost morale," said Hernandez. "The troops need and deserve all this appreciation and this is just a small part."