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It didn't take long before clean socks, toiletries, snacks and beverages started arriving in the school's office.

"We started getting stuff as soon as word got out. People are responding very quickly," said CPS Elementary Principal Joe Sutherland.

They are collecting items for the husband of the band director to distribute to his fellow soldiers.

Febe Garcia's husband Joe is stationed with the U.S. Army in the heart of Baghdad, where he serves as a mental health specialist.

Garcia said when he calls, he doesn't talk much about his experiences in Iraq.

"He mostly wants to talk about what's going on at home," she said.

She asked him if there was anything that he and all the 84 other soldiers in his unit would like to receive to show that folks at home care. He sent a list of items all the troops could use. The items are being collected in a box at CPS Elementary.

The items will be sent to Sgt. Garcia and distributed to his comrades in arms.

It is Sgt. Garcia's second tour in Iraq. He runs a clinic called "Combat Stress Control," trying to prevent soldiers from getting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Counselors there debrief soldiers after suicide bombings and also give them a chance to talk about the issues that concern them the most Ð including being away from home and family, Garcia said.

"It's not just for the Army. It's for soldiers in all branches of service," she said.

When not in Iraq, Sgt. Garcia is a rehabilitation technician at the Sanilac Community Mental Health sheltered workshop in Sandusky.

He also runs a post traumatic stress disorder group in Sandusky, where he works with veterans, including those from the Vietnam War, Febe stated.

Sgt. Garcia's first tour in Iraq was from February 2004 to February 2005. He left again in June and won't return until June 2008.

The Snover couple has two children, Calista, seven, and Sofia, two.

If you would like to contribute to this cause, drop off the following items at CPS Elementary: Soap, female hygiene products, shower gel, white socks (ankle, crew), shampoo, T-shirts (male and female), toothpaste, boxers (L-XL), toothbrushes, CDs (music), posters, calendars for next year, chocolate, calling cards, coffee (regular), popcorn in a can, powder and foot powder. Call CPS Elementary, 810-657-9318, for more information.