When the class heard that its final exam would be community based, most of the students collectively groaned. But four teenage girls saw an opportunity to give back to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) community. What began as an assignment in a Beginning Leadership class at Washington High School in Tacoma quickly evolved. 

"For the assignment we made 400 military grams," said Mifuyu Hamilton, 15. "Students put their names, the school's name, and messages on the cards. We enjoyed it so much that we'll be doing it regularly now outside of school."

Hamilton, along with classmates Kaylee Wuiste, Alex Kenyon and Sabrina Pratt, all 16, paid out of pocket for supplies. They decorated the cards with flowers, smiley faces and birds, and have already gifted 700 handmade "military grams" to deploying JBLM Soldiers.

They recently handed some out to a small unit during a July 5 deployment ceremony. 

"The USO invited us and it was so cool," Hamilton said.  "We didn't know how to approach Soldiers at first, but we knew we wanted to touch their hearts and encourage them. They made us feel so welcomed, and we felt really good about doing it."

 "This highly-classified unit had top security clearance and were all serious and tight-lipped," said Andrew Oczkewicz, McChord Field USO Puget Sound Area (USOPSA) center manager. "Not only was it the first time we'd ever had students do something like this, it was the first time many saw these tough Soldiers smile. It brightened their day and they really appreciated it."

During their visit, the girls had a chance to dine with the Soldiers and received a tour of the facility.

"It's nice to bring happiness and recognition to our amazing Soldiers," said Wuiste, whose uncle serves with JBLM's Special Forces group.

"We can't thank them enough for their hard work and big commitment to our country," Kenyon added.

"It felt so amazing doing such a little task," Pratt said. "(And one) that has a huge impact on Soldiers. Five minutes for a smile is worth all the while."

Both of Pratt's parents served in the military. So have Kenyon's grandfather and Hamilton's grandfather and all of her uncles.

The red, white and blue patriotic cards took approximately five minutes each to make and include personalized messages with wishes for Soldiers' safe return home and appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

"It's so cool that they did this," Oczkewicz said. "We need more things like this, and of course we're always in need of donations for troops, especially bags of chips - Soldiers love those."

For more information about the JBLM USOPSA Shali Center (located on McChord Field), visit www.usopsa.org  or call Oczkewicz at (360) 789-2972.