Local students support troops with DVD drive

Some troops in Iraq will soon be receiving a pleasant surprise from local students who are sending them letters and entertainment.

Two classes of seventh graders at Alder Creek Middle School have been busy with a school-wide DVD drive to gather movies to send to deployed troops in conjunction with the “Truckee to the Troops” DVD drive, sponsored by the Sierra Sun and founded by Truckee residents Bonnie York and Chris Otto. Students will also be sending letters to soldiers and in the spring will send care packages, said teacher Gina Stephens.

“I think it’s important to show the troops how much we care and that we appreciate them,” said seventh-grader Jessie Jensen. “They get pretty bored when they’re alone over there, and they still like good movies like ‘Toy Story.’”

The service learning project is being spearheaded by Stephens’s two QUEST classes, a service learning program at Alder Creek Middle School that helps students develop healthy skills for adolescent living. Students work together on team building, project planning, saying no to negative influences, and squelching peer pressure.

Last year QUEST students sent hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies and inspirational letters to children impacted by hurricane Katrina.

“It’s kind of like community service because you’re helping other people and it’s really fun,” said seventh grader Rachel Golden.

The drive for new and used DVDs in good condition will continue at Alder Creek Middle School and at the Sierra Sun through mid-November.