While some of us might be thinking about the winter holidays already, they're still three months away.

For local high school students though, they're already collecting gifts.

Students at James Wood High School have been collecting gifts for troops overseas for about a week

They say they're excited to help, especially because one of their teachers knows all too well what it's like to be overseas for the holidays.

"I'm a retired lieutenant colonel of the United States Marine Corps and I did three deployments while on active duty and actually got re-called to active duty when I started teaching back in 2003, so I've been deployed four times," said Michael Onda.

Now, Onda is a business teacher at James Wood High School.

"And I just know what they're going through, and I know that they're enduring a lot. We're here to support them," said Onda.

He and the James Wood Future Business Leaders of America are organizing a service project to collect items for troops overseas.

"All these boxes, we're putting them in classrooms and we're collecting supplies to send to people who are currently deployed," said FBLA student, Michael Morgan.

"It helps me and other people feel great that we can help do things for others that they can't do and all and help them out," said FBLA student, Cory Cook.

And they hope their efforts will make a difference.

"We hope that all the supplies will help them during the rest of their deployment," said FBLA student, Jordyn Germeyer.

Onda says this project will mean a lot to those deployed.

"Especially these days with the engagements that we've been in dragging on so much, it's not in the news all the time, and people start wondering, do they even remember that we're out here fighting and dying for their freedom. Just getting a little package like this definitely means a lot," said Onda.

They will be collecting items until the end of October. They're also selling t-shirts during lunch and football games to raise money and awareness for our troops.

On October 12, they'll participate in Remember Everyone Deployed day, also known as the RED Out day. They're hoping to see the whole school in red. RED Out day is a day that is nationally celebrated on Fridays throughout the year.

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