Cumberland Academy students give necessities to troops in Afghanistan

TYLER — Kim Gray is a Speech Language Pathologist at Cumberland Academy in Tyler.

Her brother is an army medic in Afghanistan and the school has been sending a little help their way every month.

"Their base has been blown up, I want to say twice.  They've lost all their medical supplies.  They've had to start over numerous times," Gray said. 

For Christmas, they're asking the students and the community to fill a box with items the troops need.

And on December 7th, they'll box it up and mail it for the 10-day-journey to Afghanistan.

In the midst of an often materialistic Christmas season, it makes the students feel good to give back.

"It actually really does give me a great feeling, it makes me happy to know that those people are actually happy with what they got," said student Ellie Allen.

The fifth and sixth grade aged students have already been cheering up their friends abroad with handwritten letters.

"We wrote these letters to them saying how thankful we are that they are fighting for us in the military for our freedom," said student Jordan Davault.

Gray's brother and his fellow soldiers sent a sort of "Christmas list"...and what's on it might surprise you.

You won't see any iPads or big screen tv's.

"They're just asking for like little stuff like canned foods or like tissues or...it's like little stuff," said student Anthony Garza.

With items like beef jerky, razors, pillowcases and socks, it's teaching the students to appreciate what we have here.

And the number one item of the list --- prayer.

"Well, they ask for prayers and socks.  Well we can go to a store and buy socks.  But we can't buy prayers and they need those," said student Sybil Blackmon.

The Academy tells KETK, anyone can donate.  They're accepting items on the list until the 7th. 

You can just drop them off at the front desk of Cumberland Academy on Shiloh road.

CHRISTMAS LIST

1. Prayer

2. Hand-written letters and cards

3. Squeeze Cheese

4. Crackers

5. Beef Jerky

6. Homemade goodies of any type

7. Crystal light drink mix (individual servings)

8. Yakisoba noodles

9. Mach 3 razors

10. Unflavored whole bean coffee

11. Ground flavored coffee

12. Crew socks with no logos

13. Air fresheners

14. Black or green mens soffe running shorts

15. Decorative pillowcases

16. Books

17. Sweat shirts

18. Sweat pants

19. T-shirts

20. Any Texas (State or Longhorn) merchandise