A group of UCF students organized to collect donations and send a care package to PFC Bradley J. Carner and his squad of 11 males stationed in Iraq. They met online weekly to plan and then had an in-person shopping trip at Target in Daytona Beach to purchase items for the troops. The student reflected that the experience encouraged her to be more involved in her community and highlighted how working with others towards a common goal of helping those in need can bring people together despite differences.

1. Support Our Soldiers! Nikki Gray ngray86@knights.ucf.edu April 21, 2010 EEX 4070

2. UCF Students Making a Difference! As part of a group effort with Teachers in Action, we decided to get together and serve our soldiers overseas by raising money to send a care package to them. Because we were scattered all over Volusia County (some in Deltona, some in Daytona Beach) we met primarily online once a week to plan our course of action. We concluded our meeting by having a big shopping day for our troops at a Daytona Beach Target! Shopping Day at Target! From left to right: Daniel, Alisa, Sarah, Lisa, Natasha and Nikki (me)!

4. His squad consists of 11 males

6. Elementary Education Major

7. Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida

8. Loves working with people of all ages!

10. Engagement Activities!

11. Reflection of My Experience This experience has encouraged me to be more proactive in my community! Collecting cans was a fun experience because it allowed me to engage others in helping our men overseas. It was great to work with people who had similar interests and a heart for helping others, with or without exceptionalities! I walked away from this experience knowing that while we may all be different on the outside, that we all have a common bond in joining hands and hearts to help others in need.