Sending care packages to soldiers is something the Future Business Leaders of America have done each year. But this year the group has teamed up with Forgotten Soldiers increasing both group’s efforts.

FBLA spokesperson Taylor West said when the group found out about the program they felt they could make a difference.

“We found out about Forgotten Soldier on an Outreach Web site,” she said. “I did some research into the organization and found a local contact here in Paulding, Francine Thompson, so I contacted her.”

Forgotten Soldiers is a nonprofit organization that ships packages to soldiers who are deployed all over the world and does not charge for the box. The group instead raises funds to ship the packages through local fund raisers and drives.

“Soldiers can sign up or be signed up on our Website,” said Ms. Thompson, manager of the Georgia Chapter. “I told her about what we do and that we have a shipping event coming up Jan. 31, which was right around the same time the FBLA and Beta Club were going to send theirs. She wanted to team up with Forgotten Soldiers to ship the care packages.”

Her motivation to get involved with Forgotten Soldiers, Ms. West said, was partly due to her own boyfriend being in deployed in Iraq with the Marine Corp.

Since the only money needed is for shipping, Ms. West said with the help of Ms. Thompson, she organized a week-long fund raiser at Hiram High School to ship the packages.

“It’s called ‘A Little Change Goes a Long Way,” Ms. West said. “It began on Jan. 26 and will run through Jan. 30. Each day in fourth period students will have the chance to donate spare change. It’s also a competition as well, because whichever fourth period class donates the most will receive a free pizza party.”

The change, Ms. West said, started with pennies on Monday and each day increased until dollars will be donated on Friday.

“I hit the ground running with this, but it’s a real sense of accomplishment and especially knowing that it’s going to a great cause,” she said.

The program is growing, Ms. Thompson said, as is the need to show appreciation to soldiers overseas.

The group, Ms. Thompson said, sends about 500 packages a month. Because her son is in Italy, she said she knows how much it means for soldiers to receive gifts from home.