Seneca Valley eigth-grader Alyssa Evers, 13, works on a holiday greeting card for active duty military members in Kayla Keown's family and consumer science class at Ryan Gloyer Middle School on Dec. 8. Evers was an organizer for the project.

JACKSON TWP — Nearly 70 years ago, Bing Crosby crooned “I'll Be Home for Christmas” to honor homesick soldiers.

This year, a student-led Seneca Valley School District group penned letters to overseas service members in the same fashion.

“We wanted to do something nice for the troops,” said Breanna Niebauer, 13.

Breanna, a student at Ryan Gloyer Middle School, is a member of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA. The group came up with an idea to mail handwritten cards to the United Soldiers & Sailors of America organization.

The group's purpose is “just to give back,” said Kayla Keown, an eighth-grade teacher at the middle school. “The group promotes leadership and community, and so they felt it would be a good way to promote that community sense: by involving those who were not able to be home and who are a part of the military.”

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.