Students Shipping Out Boxes to Shape Up the Morale of Their Peers Overseas

College of Applied Science (CAS) students at the University of Cincinnati are mobilizing to aid fellow students who have been serving overseas for months now.

A group known as the Student Ambassadors began a Christmas project to pack and send boxes of collected snack foods, powdered drinks, toiletries, books, magazines and music as well as stationery and pre-paid phone cards to fellow students who – as reservists – had been called up to serve in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.  Among the CAS students called up to serve are Greg Elliot and Chris Reed, both of whom received boxes at Christmas. 

But what began as a Christmas project has extended into the new year.  Recently, about 20 Applied Science students gathered in late February to pack up more boxes to go overseas.  They’ll do the same on Tuesday, March 8, in Room A323 of the College of Applied Science Administration Building, 2220 Victory Parkway.

Helping to lead the CAS effort is architectural technology senior Mirna Feghali, 23, of Anderson Township.  “The idea got started when one of our professors received an e-mail from Greg, saying that he was homesick,” she explained, adding, “I’m from the Middle East, and I know what it’s like to be away from home.  I especially remember my first Christmas in this country, and how hard it was.  I know Greg, and I worried about him, and I also knew we had this great group of students here, that we’re here to serve our community.  It just grew from there.”

The 24 boxes that the group sent out at Christmas went to Cincinnatians now overseas.  More boxes went to the same local soldiers at the end of February, and another batch is expected to be sent out after the March 8 packing session.  Leading the students in their efforts is Virginia Elkins, CAS academic director.

For second-year information technology student Erin Osterfeld, 20, of Celina, Ohio, the best part of the project is the sense that she’s contributing something to her school, her fellow students and her community.  “Greg was in one of my classes last year, and just knowing someone is enduring hardship away from home makes you want to help.  This is so good because I’m actually helping when I really don’t know how else I’d be able to,” she said.

Among those receiving boxes from the students are,

• Applied Science student Greg Elliott who expects to return from Iraq in time for spring quarter

• Applied Science student Christopher Reed who is currently serving in Kosovo.

• Applied Science student and Purple Heart recipient James Webb who was wounded after two tours in Iraq and plans to return to the college in fall 2005.