News

First Grader's Thanksgiving Project Results in 500 Cards, Care Packages for Troops

Deklan collected over 500 cards and care packages were assembled as well.
Derik Emmersen

ByGood Morning America

November 25, 2015, 8:31 PM

 -- A California first grader's determination to wish U.S. troops a Happy Thanksgiving has resulted in more than 500 letters written by his classmates that will be sent overseas to American troops.

"It was kind of surprising," dad Derik Emmersen of Playa Vista, Calif., told ABC News. "The teachers in Deklan's class said 'Just because you're young, doesn't mean you can't make a difference.'"

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The 500-plus letters will be delivered to service members overseas through the non-profit organization "Operation Gratitude."

Emmersen said it was in September when his son Deklan, 6, got the idea to send letters to troops for the holidays after seeing a TV commercial for "The Wounded Warrior Project."

The family, Emmersen said, also has a longtime friend who is a commander in the U.S. Navy. Deklan feels sad whenever he is deployed and away from his loved ones, according to Emmersen.

The cards and notes will be delivered in time for the holidays,

"I asked him if he wanted to write a letter or lead [a project]," Emmersen explained. "We had a meeting with his principal and his teacher and I told him that if he wanted to lead it, he had to be the one to present the idea."

On Oct. 5, Deklan presented his project in an assembly at Playa Vista Elementary School. As a result, Thanksgiving care packages and holiday cards written by 500-plus students will be delivered to "Operation Gratitude," a non-profit organization that will send the packages directly to deployed U.S. Service Members.

Deklan Emmersen, 6, encouraged his classmates at Playa Vista Elementary School in Playa Vista, California to write heartfelt letters to soldiers.

"We're amazed every single day by people all over the world supporting our troops," said Chris Clark, vice president of Operation Gratitude. "When we find young people like [Deklan] supporting our troops, that makes it even more special."

Deklan and his father, Derik Emmersen, created the email deklansletters@aol.com, where children outside of his school can submit holiday letters to troops.

Emmersen said Deklan decided to expand his project by creating the email deklansletters@aol.com, where children outside of his school can submit holiday letters to troops overseas.

"I feel good about it," Deklan told ABC News. "I'm excited to see if any of the soldiers respond. If they receive letters I think the soldiers would be happy."