Andy's Army in full force — More than 100 care boxes headed to United States troops overseas

In just three short weeks, schools, businesses and residents in the Connellsville area have donated so many items to the cause of Andy's Army that more than 100 boxes will be shipped out this week to United States troops overseas.

Andy's Army was started by Lynda Sparks, owner of West Side Jewelry on Crawford Avenue in Connellsville, in memory of her father, Andrew Peperak, who was a devoted veteran serving in the Korean and Vietnam wars throughout 26 years of service.

"I just never expected to get this much stuff donated," said Sparks.

Sparks had enlisted the help of the Connellsville schools in which all of her father's grandchildren are attending, including junior high's East and West and South Side, Dunbar Township, Springfield Township and Clifford N. Pritts elementary schools.

"It just made me cry when I went to Junior High East," said Sparks. "Those kids gave so much that I had to make two trips to pick up everything."

She added that besides the personal hygiene items, candy, food and notepads and pens that had been collected by the students, they also had collectively written more than 1,000 letters to be included in the different packages that will be sent to soldiers overseas.

"The youth have just been unbelievable," said Sparks.

But they weren't the only contributors. A number of local businesses and residents also joined in the effort, bringing items into Sparks West Side business or giving money.

"We didn't ask for any money but we got over $1,000 in monetary donations," said Sparks, who added that the money will more than likely go towards offsetting the shipping costs to mail the packages.

Doris Miller, an 82-year-old Connellsville resident, was one of those who cared to give a monetary donation to the cause.

"She felt compelled to help in some way and this was her way," said Sparks.

She added that Miller is just one of many elderly people who made some type of donation.

About 20 family members and friends of Sparks helped box up the donated items on Saturday morning.

McKenzie Wildey was one of those people.

"I wanted to do this because it's for a really good cause," said Wildey. "I'm really not surprised that there has been so much donated."

Amy Lucas also showed up and rolled back her sleeves to do what she could to help.

"I'm helping because the soldiers in Iraq do so much for our country and no one really realizes how it is over there," said Lucas. "They don't really have the things they need, so it's really nice that we could donate those things."

Sparks wanted to make sure and thank the entire community. She plans on having another donation drive sometime in the spring.