NE club to adopt soldiers in Iraq

   The Christmas season is not quite here yet, but the Astronomy Club on the NE Campus is trying to give it a head start for nearly 100 single soldiers in the Fourth Infantry Division.
   Ann Nelson, fund-raising representative of the club, said several single soldiers from the Fort Hood-based division have not been receiving any mail or packages although she has not been told why.
  “There are close to 100 soldiers that we know of who are not receiving anything,” she said.
   In hopes of changing that problem before Christmas, the club has planned Holiday for the Soldiers, a collection drive. Students and faculty can attend the event and “adopt” a soldier to send things to for the holiday season.
   The student or faculty member then will purchase or make items to send directly to Iraq and to the soldiers they adopted. The club will provide lists of items that are recommended, such as cards with notes written in them and chocolate.
   “Our goal is to have each soldier adopted at least three times,” she said.
   “And with the help of the students and faculty, I am sure that we can do this,” she added.
   The Holiday for Soldiers adoption will be on NE Campus in the ATB lobby 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4 p.m.-8 p.m. today and tomorrow.    On Friday, Oct. 31, however, the adoption area will be open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. only.
   If any faculty or students miss the dates listed above, the Astronomy Club will accept items until Nov. 7.
   The shipment will be mailed by Nov. 13 in order for the packages to arrive in Iraq in time for the holidays.
   The Astronomy Club meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 9 p.m. in SCI 123 on NE Campus.