A group of Effingham citizens has joined together to plan for a community effort of appreciation for the local Georgia Army National Guard, Alpha Battery of the 118th Field Artillery Battalion, headquartered in Springfield. The plan is to provide a Christmas luncheon for the troops and their families, numbering approximately 200.

Alpha Battery usually does all their cooking and fixing for their Christmas luncheon. A spokesperson for the local committee — Alpha Battery Christmas — said “it just doesn’t seem right that these citizen soldiers would have to provide their Christmas luncheon.”

The group will be mobilized in early January and will be deployed to Afghanistan in late March or early April for approximately 11-12 months. They served a deployment to Iraq in 2005-2006.

Anyone wishing to participate may send a check to the Veterans Park, P.O. Box 1078, Springfield, GA 31329; checks may also be dropped off at the Effingham Chamber of Commerce office in Springfield. Contributions will be channeled through the Veterans Park to utilize the tax deductible status for donations, please notate ABC LUNCHEON on the check.

The luncheon will take place on Dec. 6.