Military Support Group

LAWRENCEVILLE, ILL. (WTHI) - A Wabash Valley community looks to provide some extra support for active military members and their families at home.

The project is just in the beginning phases, but it is already reaching a lot of hearts.

This may look like a typical gathering at the Lawrenceville McDonalds, but its really the beginnings of a support group.

These are family of active military members in this community.

"It's hard," said Monica Waller, whose husband is in the Navy. "It's hard for me and the kids and it's hard for him to be away from the kids."

The city helped organize this event, working as a facilitator for the families.

"We just have felt that it's good for the community to be able to offer time for them to come together and share ideas and just visit," said Lawrenceville Mayor Brian Straub.

There's more than visiting happening.

At city hall they are stuffing boxes with magazines, letters and homemade Valentines.

Some special treats for troops far away from home.

This project may just be getting started, but already they're sending out Valentines from third graders at the local elementary school and letters from the middle school basketball team.

"I think it's great that the community can get things together and send out to the troops," said Waller.

"We're just reaching out to the different organizations that are glad to help," said Straub.

The end result planned here is one that will help military members far away and their families at home do a little better.

The next meeting of the group will be the second Sunday in March at noon at the Lawrenceville Elks Club.

Organizations, businesses or families with service members that want to get involved can contact the mayor's office in Lawrenceville.