UVa-Wise freshmen send care packages to troops in Iraq

UVa-Wise freshman Joel Sprinkle prepares a set of books to be included in care packages sent by Diane Silver’s freshman seminar class as a service project. A total of 11 boxes were shipped to U.S. troops in Iraq.

Small glittery rocks lay in piles on the packing platform

in Diane Silver’s freshman seminar class at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Written on each rock was the same note: “You Rock in Iraq!”

That was the message Silver’s class sent in care packages to troops fighting in the war-torn country. The stones — created and donated by the entire freshman class earlier this year — was among other items collected by the class to include in care packages as a service project and also for more personal reasons.

“I’ve had friends who’ve been to Iraq,” said Rebecca Roberts of Clintwood. “They don’t get much to help them.”

Others sought to follow in the footsteps of family members who have done the same thing.

 “My grandmother has done this before,” said freshman Jacqueline Marshall of Tangier. “I think it’s just a good idea.”

Donations were taken through drop boxes placed around campus and through gifts from faculty, staff and external organizations. The class collected books, personal hygiene items, entertainment items and letters.

Freshman Marissa Jones asked her church in Jonesville to be involved in the service project. After mentioning the care packages in a business meeting, Jones was able to take $200 back to her class. Silver said that Jones also donated magazines, books, CDs, letters and playing cards. With an additional $50 donation from an anonymous donor, Jones raised the number of care packages sent from five to 11.

Jenny Salyers, a graphic artist at the College and a veteran herself, donated an entire care package.

“Having been in the military, I know firsthand what it means to get a care package from home,” Salyers said. “The whole platoon shared it and it helped everyone.”

The only branch campus of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation’s top ten public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. UVa-Wise offers Virginia's only undergraduate degree in software engineering, among 28 other degrees and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

Posted December 13, 2007