Citrus Students Box Supplies for Troops

"Citrus students box supplies for troops

By COLLEEN WIXON
January 31, 2007

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Citrus Elementary third-grade teacher Sue Fredrickson wanted to send some hometown support to Vero Beach High School graduate Ryan Testa, now serving overseas in Iraq.
She discussed the idea of sending him items with her young students.
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But then someone in the class suggested expanding the project to all 50 members of Testa's platoon.
Testa, 27, is a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C., said his mother, Irene Testa, a second-grade teacher at Dodgertown. Fredrickson worked with Irene Testa and has known her son since he was young.
Fredrickson sent home letters about the project and for the past couple of weeks, students in her class collected donations each morning.
'The kids are really into it,' she said.
She said she is surprised at the amount of items being donated and that almost everything is brand new.
'It's very, very heartwarming,' she said. "