Marty Scott used to be in the Air Force.

Because of this, he knows what it’s like to be in the military during the holidays.

While many students worry about lines at the mall, troops overseas will worry about bullets, ambushes and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), said Scott, a senior psychology major and president of the Psychology Club.

To give soldiers a little reminder of home over the holidays, the Psychology Club is raising money for the United Services Organization to send care packages to Iraq.

The USO is an organization dedicated to bettering the morale of troops.

For every $25 raised, one care package is sent to troops.

Personal messages can also be included with the care packages.

On Tuesday, the club began to collect donations outside the University Food Court in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and will continue through today.

Each day, donations can be made from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donations smaller than $25 will be accepted and will be combined.

“Every little bit counts,” said Meghan McHaney, junior psychology major and recruiter for the Psychology Club.

While the Psychology Club is running the fundraiser, Scott hopes other departments and organizations will show their support.

Rita Schnarr, junior psychology major, became interested in the idea after Scott told a story to the club about one of his personal experiences at an airport.

“He was on a layover for 4 or 5 hours, and they had a set-up room for troops to go and they could drink bottled water,” she said.

Schnarr said it is important to do nice things like this for the troops.

“I think it means a lot to the troops to know that we’re aware of what they’re doing for us,” she said. “I feel like sometimes they think maybe we’re not aware.”

Schnarr said it’s important for students to be aware that the war is still going on even though it may not be on TV everyday.

“There are troops out there that do need to be supported and just having a booth is one way to bring more awareness on campus,” she said.

McHaney said holidays are an especially difficult time for troops because they are away from their families.

McHaney’s brother is in the Army National Guard and will be shipped to Afghanistan next year.

“Little things like getting care packages and getting a little extra money would maybe mean a lot,” McHaney said.

She said it is comforting to think he may someday receive one of these care packages.