WATERLOO - Bruce Ehlers led the charge of eager volunteers around the tables piled high with goodies.

At each stop he instructed the box-packing volunteers with the Iowa's Bravest project on how to properly place their items inside. It's a science really, to fit so many treats into the white and blue U.S. Postal Service box.

First in was a magazine, but that had to be placed just right so the next volunteer could put the toothbrush in the small space leftover on the bottom. Then there were graham crackers, frosting, pudding cups and Pringles, all packed tightly to maximize the space. As the box continued on every nook and cranny was filled with everything from socks and handheld computer games to jerky sticks and candy.

By the time they reached Jayne Kemmerer they were almost full. Kemmerer and her sister-in-law, Lisa Newman, carefully wrapped the bill of a hat around a pair of socks before sending the box down the line.

"We just wanted to show our support, for what they are doing over there," said Kemmerer, whose nephew and his wife serve in the Air Force. "We wish they could come home, but until they can, we want to show we care about what they are doing."

Just before the boxes were carted away to be taped and shipped Marlys Timmer and Dee Lane pack the final items - a personalized stocking filled with a homemade neck cooler and phone cards.

Connie Troche with the U.S. Army Reserves Battalion 445th Transportation Company received one of these boxes while she was deployed in 2004. So did every other soldier in the 445th.

"It was overwhelming. There was so much pride. All the boxes came on the same day and we handed out over 100 boxes that day. I have never lived in such a heart-warming community," the native New Yorker said. "It chokes me up when I come out here now."

Sara Barnard's husband, Tim, returned home from Iraq Thursday night. Even though he will only be home for two weeks Barnard said it was important for her to attend the box-packing event. Tim was invited but chose to stay home with the couple's 1-year-old son Benny.

"He says the boxes are such a great thing to get," Sara said. "It's great to have this kind of support."

This is the fourth year Iowa's Bravest, a group started by John Deere employees and helped tremendously by other volunteers, has sent Christmas care packages to Iowa soldiers serving in Iraq. But, Friday night was the first time Robert "B.J." Jackson, a Des Moines veteran who lost both legs below the knees and suffered severe burns while in Iraq in 2003, saw firsthand the work that went into stuffing more than 400 boxes.

He was expecting a small group of volunteers. What he got was hundreds of supporters offering their thanks for the work our country's service men and women provide.

"It's amazing. I've seen everyone from Boy Scouts to middle schoolers and high schoolers and senior citizens in line to pack a box. And when they are done, they get back in line and do it again," he said. "It gives you chills. This has to rate as one of the top support efforts I've seen."

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1520 or emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.