Staff Sgt. Myra Kennedy is thousands of miles from home, separated from her family and friends as she serves her country during a tour of duty in Africa.

Despite the great distance, a little piece of home will soon find its way into her hands thanks to the thoughtful consideration of Kristina Wagner, a member of the Barton Community College Community Student Organization.

Wagner and about half a dozen other CSO members spent their Wednesday evening writing letters to soldiers to remind them they are still in the hearts and minds of the citizens they are sworn to protect.

From genuine gratitude to small-talk, the content of the letters was as varied as the personalities of their authors.

"I’m just writing about my life here, and the weather," Wagner said. "It’s 130 degrees there. That’s hard to believe."

Wagner included her e-mail address and an invitation to become her new pen pal.

Devan Boeger, president of CSO, said the group is constantly looking for ways to serve.

"This is a good project because it shows we support them and shows them people back home are still thinking about them and care about what they’re doing," Boeger said.

The project was the brainchild of sophomore in technical accounting Kathleen Duncan. She thought of the idea after writing letters back and forth to her dad, who was stationed in Iraq for two years.

Business instructor Shanna Legleiter co-sponsors the group, which she said is representative of BCC’s student population.

"It just goes to show how dedicated and committed our students are," she said. "We have good, warm-hearted students who care."