Jesse Batson

With so many troops from Brookings and Watertown soldiers overseas right now, Students’ Association members have decided to send holiday care packages to the soldiers in Iraq.

“The Students’ Association is the governing body on campus,” said SA administrative assistance Line Stevens.

Stevens, who has been involved with the SA since her freshman year, borrowed the care package idea from a radio advertisement.

“You know, we were all just standing around the office one day and trying to come up with ideas,” said Stevens, “And I had heard a radio announcement for sending packages to troops and I was like, ‘Well we could do that!’ “

The SA frequently does charity work, but Kati Fergon, head of the SA community service committee, said the soldier packages are probably the biggest attempt that the group has undertaken.

“Last year we did a bunch of projects that involved small groups and we wanted to do something that would hit close to home and that everyone would want to get involved in,” Fergon said.

After making a few phone calls to the guard unit, the SA received a list of items that the overseas Brookings unit could use.

Entertainment items, personal hygiene items and food all make the list, but Stevens said, “Anything else they want to send is fine. We’re very open to suggestions.”

Since the SA will be mailing the care packages through the local post office, monetary donations are also useful.

The donations can be turned in to the SA office located in the student union.

A few local business are planning on getting involved as well.

The SA’s goal for the soldier care packages is to reach 10,956 items.

“We’d like one item per student,” Stevens said. “I’m not sure how we’re going to do on that. It’s a pretty big long shot, but I have a good feeling about it.”

With the deadline for shipping the gift bags Nov. 22 and close to 500 soldiers on the recipient list, the entire process is a little hectic for Stevens.

“Right now it’s all in limbo. We’re still trying to get the word out, but I have a good feeling that we’ll get quite a few things done,” she said.

Stevens is hopes that the SA won’t have to send out care packages every year.

“Hopefully we’ll have some people coming home,” Stevens said.