Sacred Heart students put together care packages for Marines gearing up for Afghanistan deployment

Dennis Rich/Democrat

Sacred Heart care packages

Sacred Heart School fourth-grade teacher Kathy Wissman, second from left, and students Maria Mergen, Grace Gunn and Angie Hill on Friday load up one of five care packages for a Marine unit preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in February. What began as an Advent service project for Wissman’s class grew to incorporate multiple Sacred Heart classrooms. The items will be delivered to Lance Cpl. Adam Royer, whose unit is now training in California.

Dennis Rich/Democrat

Sacred Heart care packages

The Christmas tree in Wissman’s room was piled high Friday afternoon with items meant to help ease the deployment of a Marine unit that leaves for Afghanistan in February. Sacred Heart students shopped for the packages, bringing in piles of toothbrushes, DVDs, batteries, snack food and other items.

Dennis Rich/Democrat

Sacred Heart care packages

Sacred Heart School students and staff pose for a group shot on Friday before launching into a whirlwind packing project.

Dennis Rich/Democrat

Sacred Heart care packages

Fourth-graders, from left to right, Allie Ferguson, Julia Barklage, Megan Winterer and Lucas Martin fill a box with toothbrushes. Allie said she and her family, like many other students, made multiple stops at the store to purchase items for the care packages.