The deployment of a fifth grader's father inspired other fifth grade boys at Deerfield Windsor to send Christmas care packages to troops in Afghanistan
ALBANY, GA -- Marines that are deployed overseas in Afghanistan for the holiday season are receiving some holiday cheer courtesy of the Boys Spreading Joy group at Deerfield Windsor’s lower campus.
Tuesday afternoon, fifth grade boys from the school gathered to sing carols – one being a military themed version of the “12 Days of Christmas” -- for a musical DVD which they later packed into a Christmas care package for troops overseas.
For one fifth grader, Jack Davis, the project hits close to home: his father, Lt. Col. Don Davis, was recently deployed to Afghanistan.
“It's kind of sad it's really like off, like something missing when you're around, and you think something's missing and you know what it is,” says Jack.
Every year, Boys Spreading Joy picks a philanthropy project, and this year it was Lt. Col. Davis’s deployment that inspired the group.
“It just hit home because one of our boys in the grade has a dad deployed in the marines in Afghanistan,” says Angie Potter, one of the mothers of a Deerfield Windsor student who helped organize the project.
The Davis family says it’s hard for all of the troops to be away from home especially during the holiday, so they hope by sending some of the comforts of home they are also sending some Christmas spirit.
“It's just a little piece of home when they're away from home so I think it's going to mean a lot to them,” says Becky Davis, mother to Jack and wife to Lt. Col. Davis.
Included in the boxes are snacks, Santa hats, Christmas lights and garland. Becky says the troops in Afghanistan use the decorations to adorn their tents.
“It's going to mean a lot to them because they're all far from their family and they're going to know it means a lot,” says Jack.”
While the troops in Afghanistan will be making a holiday away from home with their help, back at home, the families keep trooping on.
“It's difficult but we're a close family, we have a strong faith and together we get through it and make the best of it,” says Becky.
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