Each year Ashley Hobbs’ classes get into the holiday spirit by adopting a soldier and sending care packages to his or her unit.
Hobbs started the tradition 10 years ago when she began teaching at Fort Zumwalt South High School. Hobbs had been involved in service organizations, such as Cardinal Key, a sorority service program, throughout college. Hobbs said she wanted to bring an element of community service back into her life when she began teaching.
“Throughout my whole life, community service and helping those in need have been important,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs said her Adopt a Soldier program provides a chance for her to share a community service opportunity with her students. Last year, her classes sent 27 boxes full of supplies to the troops, along with cookies made by the Foods classes.
“People are generous, especially with the troops,” Hobbs said.
This year Hobbs’ A.P. Psychology, sociology, and freshmen seminar classes are involved in the program. Hobbs sent out a list of items requested by the soldiers for students to bring, including snacks, shampoo, hand wipes, and magazines. Hobbs said easily prepared and transported snacks, such as chocolate and Pop-Tarts, are always the most requested item by the soldiers.
After all of the items are collected, Hobbs classes help prepare boxes to send overseas. Hobbs also accepts monetary donations from her students for shipping costs.
In the past, Hobbs has always chosen a soldier connected to her or the MHS community, including her friend’s husband in the Air Force. This year Hobbs’ classes will support MHS alum Brandon Floodman.
Floodman graduated from MHS in 2009. He played on the MHS soccer team and was in Hobbs’ psychology class. Scott Cleer, social studies teacher and uncle of Floodman, recommended Floodman when Hobbs sent out an email to the faculty asking about family members in the military.
“The fit was good,” Cleer said. “He’s not that far removed from Marquette.”
Floodman began serving in Afghanistan in spring 2013. He is a medic in the army. In addition to medic duties, Floodman also acts as a first responder in emergency situations.
“People think that after America pulled out of Iraq it’s over, but it’s not,” Cleer said. “People sometimes forget that we still have troops over there.”
Cleer thinks that the students’ participation in this project will provide a new perspective about the many American troops still serving. Cleer said the connection to real life experiences is a great benefit to students.