SHOWING SUPPORT SCHOOL KIDS, FIRMS SENDING LETTERS AND GIFTS OVERSEAS.

Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

BURBANK - From care packages and letters sent by students to postcards sent by animators, Burbank schools and organizations have signed on to help U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan stay connected to home.

Students from Burbank High and Thomas Jefferson and George Washington elementary schools are corresponding with soldiers and Marines. Employees of the feature animation division at the Walt Disney Co. sent postcards and phone cards, and a Burbank-based organization run by veterans has organized several ``packing parties'' to ship boxes of donated goods.

``It crosses political barriers. Despite right or left, people want to support the troops and it just gives me goose bumps,'' said Linda Bitto, who oversees attendance at Burbank High and organizes its shipment of care packages.

Bitto has a son in the Army who is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq in August.

In addition to letters, the school sent 26 boxes of donated goods - everything from batteries and books to dried soup and bug spray - to units in Afghanistan and Iraq. One soldier sent back an American flag that had flown over Baghdad in a Black Hawk helicopter.

``I feel I have an obligation to show my support for them,'' said Burbank High student Leticia Jack, 16, who has an uncle stationed in Iraq but opposes the war.

``I know a lot of people who are over there, and I don't feel I can be against them, even though I don't support it.''

Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, care packages could be sent overseas addressed to ``Any Soldier.'' That option is no longer available because of security concerns, so many schools have needed contacts.

Jefferson Elementary, for example, sends its mail in care of the brother of a nurse's aide at the school.

Soldiers are grateful for the letters and goods, said Maj. Todd Breasseale of the Army Office of Public Affairs.

``They're a massive morale booster. And that anyone would take the time to send just a card or a letter that expresses their concern, or perhaps a condolence because of a lost service member, (that) is taken directly to our heart,'' Breasseale said.

The Burbank region of the American Youth Soccer Organization has also gotten involved, holding a drive Saturday to collect used soccer uniforms and equipment that will be sent to young Iraqis.

``This was a good chance to sort of recycle some of the old uniforms and help kids that can use it,'' said parent Rose Rodriguez.

Helping the troops has been a three-year campaign for Vietnam veteran Mickey De Palo, 58, and the Burbank-based group Hands Across the Battlefield. Relying on donations and support from the city, the charity has sent about 10 tons of care packages to troops overseas.

``This has become a real nice not-only-Burbank community endeavor, but pretty much a San Fernando Valley-wide endeavor,'' De Palo said.

The organization relies on volunteers to pack boxes for shipment, and plans to prepare another shipment within two weeks.

On Valentine's Day, employees at Disney's feature animation division will fill out about 300 postcards for shipment, with phone cards attached, to be sent to U.S. troops in the Middle East. The company also sent out 300 postcards and phone cards before Christmas.

Alex Dobuzinskis, [phone]

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Andrew Ford, 6, of Burbank drops off an old soccer shirt at the Burbank Adult School on Saturday. It will be sent in a shipment for youngsters in Iraq.

(2) Mark Gruettner, a Burbank resident, had the idea to start an AYSO drive for soccer shirts to help out Iraqi children.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News