Class helps Iraq soldiers with goodies

When the seventh-graders at Wasilla Middle School heard that some soldiers in Iraq gave up their holiday leave, the students decided to give them something in return.

The students heard about seven soldiers in Iraq who, because they didn't have family to come home to, volunteered their leave to other soldiers who had families to spend the holidays with.

The students decided to send the soldiers in Iraq some things they wanted for Christmas, so they could enjoy the holiday season despite their situation.

"The kids thought it was nice they let soldiers who had family back home come back for the holidays," teacher Jason McCourt said. "The soldiers had a list of things they wanted, like books, magazines, even soft toilet paper."

Students organized a classwide drive to get the items purchased and ready for the soldiers.

"We put a list on the board and seventh-graders brought items in and we packaged them up and sent them off," McCourt said.