Kansas University Beta Theta Pi fraternity members from left, Christopher Reynolds, Topeka freshman, Jake Wittler, Wichita sophomore, Tyler Thress, Wichita sophomore, Michael Raupp, Leawood senior, and Stephen Sheldon, Overland Park senior, dig through donated boxes of personal care items to be sorted, repackaged and shipped to U.S. troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa on Saturday afternoon at the Burge Union.

Kansas University fraternity and sorority members hustled to fill 14 large boxes Saturday afternoon with Christmas gifts and supplies for men and women they would likely never meet.

About 40 chapter members of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Chi Omega sorority worked in the basement of the Burge Union loading up the care boxes for Fort Riley troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa.

“Just regardless of all of the politics and everything that goes on in the country, we feel that it’s important to support the troops no matter the circumstances,” said Michael Raupp, a Leawood senior and chapter president of Beta Theta Pi at KU.

“Hopefully, out of this they feel that they are not forgotten in that message.”

Brian Reynolds, a Beta co-philanthropy chairman, said the project took about two months, as chapter members solicited donations of items and cash to help with shipping costs.

They packaged hygiene items, such as shampoo and soap, and many eye-care products, like contact solution and cleaner for eye glasses for troops in sandy climates.

The packages also will include holiday cards that troops can send back to their families and calling cards to call home.

“We really felt that regardless of people’s opinions on the war that our troops need support right now, especially at this time of year around the holidays,” said Reynolds, a junior from Topeka.

Reynolds and co-philanthropy chairman Jacob Wittler helped solicit donations from businesses and individuals in northeast Kansas.

Major donors included Merit Packaging, The Hawk, Beauty Brands and Dr. Cecil Kohake, of Topeka.

The Betas also sent donation boxes to all KU greek houses, residence halls and scholarship halls. Cash and other donations totaled more than $4,000.

They hope to ship the packages through the U.S. Postal Service next weekend, Reynolds said.