The carefree, joyful laughter of kids at play can seem a world away to soldiers during deployment. But a day care in Peru, N.Y., is trying to send some of that warmth and joy overseas.
"Especially having kids we know that a lot of soldiers don't get to see their kids for a long time, so we're going to try and do some projects and just some things they can use while they're over there," said Little Elephant Learners day care assistant Kelsey Currier.
The day care is making care packages. Kids will do drawings, but they're also asking community to help with things the soldiers can't easily get overseas.
"Snack food is a big thing. Stuff they can fit in their pockets. Body wash, powder, lotion, because the heat is a lot there and they need the sunscreen and lotion to moisturize their skin. DVDs, little games that they can play," said Currier.
But that's certainly not all. This day care wants the kids to get involved and make these packages extra special.
"We're going to have them draw some pictures and do some American flag projects, and then we're going to get permission from the parents to send pictures of each kid, and their name and what they like to do," Currier said.
The day care is also planning to have soldiers come and speak to the kids, and let them know that some military families are apart for long stretches, and how much it means when troops get gifts like the ones they're sending.
"To be able to bring something from home for them and comfort them, it would I imagine mean a lot to them. It means a lot to us to be able to share," she said.