Basic essentials can easily be taken for granted by civilians, but for soldiers overseas, its the basics they will be missing this Christmas.

To make that wish come true, Copiah-Lincoln Community College has been collecting items such as pens, pencils, note pads, baby wipes, non-perishable foods and many more items that are small enough for soldiers to fit in their pants’ pockets.

“We just wanted to do as much possible as we can,” Natchez Campus director of public relations Mark LaFrancis said.

The items have been donated from students, staff, faculty, community members, Kmart and Walmart.

The students, staff and faculty have also filled out approximately 1,000 Christmas cards that will be sent to the soldiers.

The items collected will be packed in 12 different boxes and mailed to soldiers of the 155th Infantry stationed at the Liberty Road Armory serving in Iraq. Most of the soldiers receiving the boxes are from the area.

Navy veteran and Co-Lin sophomore Kennita Griffin said she has many friends overseas and knows the importance of needing basic items. During her five-year career in the Navy she spent a portion of it patrolling the shores of Iraq.

“I volunteer because they are my fellow people,” Griffin said. “I can relate to them.”

Students and staff have also been collecting items and Christmas cards for veterans at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery Veterans Medical Center in Jackson that they will hand- deliver Dec. 17.

After last year being the first year that Co-Lin has collect items for soldiers and veterans, LaFrancis really noticed the need for the donations and plans to collect items for years to come.

“When you do something special that’s appreciated, why not do it again?,” LaFrancis said.