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While in college, she was nearly booted from school, for protesting the Vietnam war and sitting before the dean's office door with an anti-war sign. Eventually, she realized supporting those in battle, rather than strictly opposing those in charge, produced more satisfying results. Now, with American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, she's trying to help them, in order to make a difference.

Lucas concentrates her efforts through Antrim County Citizens Who Care, a group that sends care packages to soldiers overseas, supplying them with items from candy to toiletries.

The members have collected a list of soldiers from this county, as well as others from Michigan and those related or acquainted with Michigan residents. The group started efforts in March of 2005, with just a few names and has grown considerably since.

"I can't believe how much it's grown, we have 48 people on the mailing list now," she said. "We started sending over packages, then got others involved to find soldiers to mail to and get collections going."

The names were compiled by both recommendation of area citizens and names from www.anysoldier.com, a website that lists soldier names and mailing addresses.

Items inside the packages are both donated, and purchased with donated money. Lucas says to this point, the area residents have been generous.

"We started doing collections at Glen's, it just got bigger and bigger," she said. "The first time we sent over two or three boxes. This time we sent out 74. "When we do those collections, we average about $1,500 in donations and another $1,000 in items that we drop off."

In a matter of weeks, soldiers receive boxes filled with personal hygiene items, wet wipes, bug spray, candy and magazines among other things. The group also try and supply troops with items to potentially gain favor, and win over some of locals.

"Toys that can be given to kids, such as Hot Wheels, are also included," Lucas said.

Soldiers have shown their gratitude, in sending responses and thank you cards back to Lucas and company. From Christmas cards to thank you letters, the correspondence is steadily arriving. She says one soldier responded by saying "it's nice to know there are still good people in the world."

Antrim residents Debra Newland, Vivian DeMorrow, Linda Paquette also lend support in the ef- fort. Lucas says their effort is boosted when considering the situation.

"It's not a great situation, but it's different from Vietnam in that these soldiers weren't drafted, they signed up to jump out of a plane," she said. "They deserve respect for that."

If you would like to help by volunteering or donating items, the ACCWC have several options to get involved. Items can me mailed, or, a volunteer can pick them up.

Monetary donations also are accepted. The address is ACCWC, P.O. Box 343, Central Lake, MI, 49622. The contact number is 340- 0679 and email is ac_cwc@yahoo.com.

The following are items requested by service personnel and are being collected: protein bars, Gatorade mix, vitamins, magazines, toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, sunscreen, lip balm, eye drops, bug repellant, fly paper, fruit cups, puzzles, antiseptic wipes, nail clippers and files, playing cards, hard candy, beef jerky, shampoo, books, movies, dry soup, feminine hygiene items, crossword puzzles, batteries, music.