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UPDATED: October 11 at 10:45 a.m.

In August, Western Illinois University Beu Health Center's "Boxes of Thanks" organization hosted a fundraiser cookout to raise money to put together "Boxes of Thanks," which are sent to soldiers overseas.

The group's goal was to raise enough money for 100 boxes. But thanks to the generosity of the WIU community, the group far exceed their goal.

To keep the momentum going, "Boxes of Thanks" is hosting a contest to see which WIU group can collect the most items for the initiative.

For more information on how you can help, call 309-298-1888.

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Soldiers overseas will receive some well deserved boxes thanks to students and faculty at Western Illinois University. Beu Health Center employees sponsored a fundraiser to raise money for their Boxes of Thanks program. Burgers, brats, and pork chops were sold for 5 dollars each. All of Wednesday's proceeds will go towards sending 100 boxes full of non-perishable items, soap, shampoo, and other personal items.

The program started because an employee at Beu has a son who is deployed. He said he has a lot of friends who don't get a lot of boxes from home.

Samantha Klingler from the Beu Health Center says, "He said one of the greatest things is hearing your name called that you had a box from home. So, we just wanted other people to have that same excitement to know that people care and we really do appreciate what they're doing for us."

Since May, the program already has sent twelve boxes overseas. For more information on how you can help, call 309-298-1888.