A personal note, a favorite snack and an entertaining DVD go a long way to brighten the day of a U.S. solider serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. Thanks to the efforts of the College of Business Administration’s Weekend BBA+ Group 27 students, hundreds of military men and women recently received such a morale-boosting care package.

The Florida International University (FIU) students teamed with the South Florida Chapter of AT&T Pioneers to coordinate the creation of more than 400 cards and letters to accompany an equally large number of donated personal items for care packages. America’s Moms for Soldiers, a Florida-based nonprofit organization committed to making sure distant troops realize how much their efforts are appreciated sends the items.

Members of the BBA+ Weekend group 27 with representatives of AT&T Pioneer and America's Moms

“Helping America’s Moms extended our effort to stay involved in the community and work with AT&T Pioneers to raise awareness for worthy nonprofit organizations,” said Linda Henderson, student chair for the event.

Local children contribute creatively to soldiers’ care packages.

As part of the project, the FIU students organized two card-writing events, one at Gladeview Christian School in Miami. Scouts with South Florida Cub Scout Pack #941 added notes and pictures to cards created at a “paint party” Art Studio Miami.

From left to right: Jackie Nasreddine, BBA+ Weekend student; Dan Smith, chair, America's Moms; Kylie Kelaher, Tom Kelaher, director, America's Moms; Judy Smith, director, America's Moms, BBA+ Weekend student Linda Henderson and Cindy Esquivel, AT&T Pioneers display cards created by Art Studio Miami, Cub Scout Pack # 941 and Gladeview Christian School.

“We find that art is a therapeutic way to enrich the lives of the children who are a part of Art Studio Miami,” said FIU student Sheela Romeu, who introduced the idea to work with the studio. “We couldn’t think of a better way to get them to express their gratitude to those on the front lines.”

Judy Smith, with America’s Moms for Soldiers, agreed.

America’s Moms volunteers Tom Kelaher and Dan Smith with one of two truckloads of items for care packages.

“We are extremely grateful to the FIU students and AT&T Pioneers for collecting items for the soldiers and to all the children and volunteers who created special cards and letters for them. You can’t imagine how much this means to our soldiers.”

Working with AT&T Pioneers, Group 27 has led several successful community service projects this year including a “skate night” fundraiser and a “Spring Celebration” with Miami Children’s Hospital.