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Hayden — For Hayden Valley Elementary School students, the school's monthly virtue -- generosity -- was more than just a word on paper. It was a way to make the holidays special for U.S. troops in Iraq.

"They don't get very many Christmas presents," Nicholas Williams said. "This is our Christmas present to them."

Williams and three other members of the Student Council spent Friday boxing up magazines, books, games and snacks gathered during a gift drive they organized for the troops.

"It's above and beyond my expectations," said Kathy Hockett, who helped with the drive.

The students took heart thinking of the soldiers spending their holidays in a foreign country, with no family and few gifts.

"They only get one gift from their family. ... We just need to support them," Gage Webb said.

Hockett expected that students, parents and the community would provide enough items for two to three boxes. The students ended up with seven heavy boxes of goods.

The boxes will be sent to specific soldiers who will spread the items among troops.

The American Legion offered to pay the postage on the boxes, which likely will be more than $100, Hockett said.

Students' handwritten letters added a personal touch to the boxes.

"They (troops) know that people back here know they are over there," Ron Staudt, a Vietnam veteran with the American Legion, said about why the students' effort was important.

This likely won't be the last gift drive at the school, which hopes to hold a similar drive for the troops in the spring.

"We plan to do more," Hockett said. "We don't want to stop."

-- To reach Tamera Manzanares, call 871-4204 or e-mail tmanzanares@steamboatpilot.com.