WESSON – After a guest speaker requested his fellow servicemenbe remembered at Christmas as a stipulation for his coming tospeak, Copiah-Lincoln Community College was glad to oblige.

When Col. Robert Thomas, a multiple service medal winner, wasasked to come speak as a part of the college’s lecture series, heasked that a project be done that collects specific items fortroops overseas for Christmas time. Thomas is scheduled to speakMonday at the college.

Natalie Davis, Co-Lin director of Public Relations, said theNational Technological Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa honorsfraternity are leading the effort.

“I think that’s just something he requested when he agreed tocome and speak to us,” she said. “He asked that we do some kind ofpromotion for the troops, and two of our clubs said they’d helpspearhead it.”

Davis said the “Co-Lin: Christmas for the Troops” campaignoffers easy participation, as the groups have put boxes in majorbuildings on campus and at State Bank offices and the CountryFisherman Restaurant in Brookhaven. Donors are encouraged to bringitems such as pre-paid phone cards, baby wipes in packets, beefjerky, sunflower seeds, energy bars, Crunch & Munch-typesnacks, Twizzlers, hard candy, and new and used DVDs and CDs.

“We’re trying to get the community involved and the studentsinvolved in this as a service project,” Davis said.

In addition, organizers are asking people to write letters ofsupport to be sent to the troops as well.

“You can even include a personal note to the troops thankingthem for what they’re doing for us,” Davis said. “That can beincluded in your package, too. Just bring your items in a bag andtake it to one of our distribution centers.”

Among things that should be left at home, however, arechocolates and other food items that will melt, crackers andcookies that can be crushed, illegal copies of anything,home-cooked items, sunscreen, liquor and/or alcohol relatedproducts, and sexually oriented material.

Copiah-Lincoln officials said they’re proud to say they supportAmerican troops overseas.

“We support our military in any way we can, and we’re happy todo anything we can to help,” said Davis.

The last day of the drive is Nov. 12, when Thomas will speak atthe college at 11 a.m. and at 6 p.m. in Rea Auditorium. He willtake the goods with him after his appearances.