It was just last fall that Katherine Hanna and her friend Heather Ross, two FAU sophomores, started a website to get students to send letters and essential items such as toothpaste and sunscreen to American soldiers in Iraq. But the website is only one component of their bigger plan. It represents their non-profit Hanna-Ross American Soldier Foundation or HRASF, where volunteers can send the mentioned items to soldiers for free. Although it sounded easy, the girls knew their only chance was to get as many people involved as possible. Even with the odds against them, their determination remains strong.
It all started when founder Katherine Hanna made a presentation in her speech class about the American soldiers in Iraq. Hanna used one of her friends who is enlisted in the Army and may get sent over to Iraq as a visual aid. Katherine decided to go ahead with the foundation when her fellow classmates came up to her after class and wanted to help. “It was very emotional,” says Hanna. “I felt very strongly about it.” According to Heather Ross, the Vice President, the election debates also helped them with their decision. “I realized that we needed to do something for the soldiers,” says Ross. “I felt drawn to them because I admire them and have so much respect for them.”
To this day, they’ve only managed to get a few contributions, including their own. They currently have only one-drop box, which is located in the Greek Affairs office above the University Center at FAU in Boca Raton. Still, Katherine and Heather have faith that the students will help. They are working to place drop boxes at other locations such as Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Wellington High School in Wellington, and even UCLA in California.
Katherine, with high hopes for her foundation, was one of the first to send letters overseas along with Heather, who has not yet received a reply due to the holidays. “Even though I don’t know them, I have so much to say to them,” says Ross. “So we don’t send letters to family members in Iraq,” says Hanna. “It’s basically for those soldiers who don’t get any letters.” With the help of their military friend, the two students mail the supplies and letters they receive at no expense whatsoever for the students who contribute. Although it takes the soldiers three weeks to receive the letters, Hanna guarantees that they do eventually reach the soldiers, unless the letters are lost in the mail. HRASF is trying to get all students with some spare time on their hands to write a letter, even a short one. The Spanish River High School students will be given credit for writing to the American soldiers.
“These soldiers represent bravery, they are very noble and brave for going there and fighting for what we stand for, and trying to make peace.” says Hanna. She has some friends in the army and they stay in touch regularly. It is very emotional for her to know that students can make other soldiers feel as good as before they went to Iraq. “I don’t realize how bad it is for them because all my family is here,” Ross agrees. “Ultimately, it is not a matter of why they are there, but that they are there and risking their lives so we can live ours,” she insists.
