Youth at Madison Church of Christ pack ‘spring care’ boxes for deployed soldiers. Volunteers are Wesley Ridenour, from left, Liberty Middle School seventh-grader; Vishal Rameshbabu and Andrew Ridenour, both Mill Creek Elementary School fourth-graders; and Alex King, Mill Creek sixth-grader. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Youth at Madison Church of Christ collected supplies for ‘spring care packages’ that they shipped to deployed soldiers.

Earlier this year, Michael Kersjes found out about the idea and organized five local schools to get involved in the effort. Kersjes works as Military Student Transition Consultant for Madison County, Huntsville City and Madison City school districts.

Members at Church of Christ members collected enough items to create 100 spring care packages to be shipped “to military members around the world. They had assistance of students and staff from Sparkman High, Williams Middle, Mill Creek Elementary, Heritage Elementary and Columbia Elementary schools,” parent volunteer Molly King said.

The youth also wrote more than 500 letters of appreciation and thanks. After the items were collected, youth from Madison Church of Christ packed the care packages, and church members mailed the packages. More than 200 stuffed animals were collected for troops to distribute “to children they meet in other countries to promote goodwill toward the United States,” King said.

Rick King, who coordinates the church’s military ministry, said, “We were surprised when Mike contacted us with the items the schools had collected, but were happy that the community wanted to be involved and work with us. Hopefully, we can make this an annual event.”

Organizers already have received numerous comments from soldiers and their parents expressing gratitude for the packages.

One of the youth, Mill Creek fourth-grader Andrew Ridenour said he liked “sending items to the military because they help protect our country.”

“I like helping people, especially our military, because they help us. It’s because of them that I can attend church and worship God without being afraid,” Wesley Ridenour, a Liberty Middle School seventh-grader, said.

Madison Church of Christ’s address is 556 Hughes Road. Church members welcome anyone to worship with them, Molly King said. On Sunday, worship services are held at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m., along with a worship service in Spanish at 10:30 a.m.