Papa John’s in Oxford is participating in an effort with other franchises in Southwest Ohio to raise money for care packages to be sent to soldiers who are fighting overseas. Papa Johns has partnered with HeroBox to send personalized packages to American soldiers.

Michelle Stachura, general manager of the Oxford Papa John’s, said the franchise has been involved in the project for the last seven or eight months.

The last few months, the branch has collected around $100. They turn in the money from their collection box to headquarters every week.

Assistant Manager Courtney Depew said the store has a box next to the register for monetary donations.

“We take the money and send care packages to soldiers,” Depew said.

The organization, originally launched by a soldier’s family to support all deployed soldiers, will celebrate its second anniversary in May. The manager of an area Papa John’s location decided to support HeroBox after hearing about them while watching the Major League Baseball All-Star game last year. His support has grown and initiated a collective effort on the part of area Papa John’s locations.

“All 28 stores from north of Dayton all the way down to Fairfield are involved,” Stachura said. “We are united company-wide.”

Soldiers are able to sign up with HeroBox during basic training and can designate particular items that they want. The idea of the program is to send small tokens. Requests from soldiers can range from socks to Slim Jims to guitar strings, mainly whatever the soldier needs to remind them of home.

“(It’s nice to) keep connected and let (the soldiers) know people are thinking of them,” Stachura said.

Community members can get involved by donating items requested by soldiers, money or adopting their own soldier. It’s possible to become pen pals with adopted soldiers as well.

In addition, there is a large event sponsored by area Papa John’s stores at the Centerville, Ohio location on May 8. Firefighters, mayors from different towns, military personnel from Wright Patterson Air Force Base and state representatives will be on hand lending their support to Papa John’s and HeroBox. There will be a silent auction and pizza sales among other activities at the event. Stachura said Hero Day in Centerville is mainly to get people involved and excited.

Junior Emily Strand liked the idea of the project.

“It’s a great idea and a good way to show that they support our troops,” Strand said. “They can help people feel like they’re helping others by making a donation … I know a lot of people in the army and soldiers fighting abroad. It feels like a great way to support them.”

Stachura said it is easy for people to become involved if they want to.

“Whether or not you want to come here to donate, you can easily go to the website,” Stachura said.

To get involved, visit http://www.herobox.org.