UF students who are deployed overseas are getting a taste of home thanks to their fellow Gators.
Operation Gator Gratitude is a donation drive to send care packages to UF students currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The drive, which runs until March 27, is a project of Gator Community Outreach, Collegiate Veterans Society and Omega Delta Sigma, a veterans fraternity.
The group is collecting hygiene products, non-perishable food and snacks, socks and other items.
"Anything they get, they're grateful for," said Kelly Packard, coordinator of the drive and member of Gator Community Outreach and the Collegiate Veterans Society.
Packard said this drive is a way for students to have a direct impact on classmates who are serving in the military overseas. Those affected include active duty, inactive duty and individuals ready reserve.
Andrew Martinez, a Marine who has been deployed multiple times, knows how it feels to receive items from the home front.
He said random acts of kindness, such as care packages, are definitely a morale booster.
"It's always nice to get any kind of mail," Martinez said.
Donations can be dropped off at the Veterans Affairs Office in 222 Criser Hall.
