WELCOME HOPE YOU FIND THIS SITE HELPFUL

KISS involved — It all began with toilet paper. The simple commodity that is often taken for granted. What would happen if there wasn’t enough? That’s the question that confronted Daxton Holland a few years ago. His grandmother, Wanda Brisco, had told him about the shortage of toilet paper facing the soldiers serving overseas. Surprise at the thought generated action. Daxton began doing toilet paper drives at his school and the event has grown into what is now known as Kids Involved Supporting Soldiers (K.I.S.S.). That year, he sent over 1,000 rolls of toilet paper to the soldiers. He was only 11 years old. “The soldiers have stayed with what they’re doing,” Daxton, who is now 14, said. “They just can’t quit. As long as there’s a soldier that needs help, we’ll help them.” From toilet paper drives, Daxton began to send other items in shoe boxes to the soldiers. Often included in the care packages were beef jerky, gum, candy and entertainment items. But K.I.S.S. is moving away from care packages and starting to focus its attention ..ing maimed soldiers who are returning home. The Heroes Fund is its newest project, and the idea behind it is to help wounded men and women who may not be able to find employment because of their condition. “We’re just really going to focus ..ing them out financially,” Daxton said. A Web site is in the works where soldiers will be able to list their skills and be matched with companies in need of people with those skills. “A soldier could get on there and if they had any dreams that they can’t fulfill themselves because of their handicap, then we’re going to help them do it,” Daxton said. Taylor Atchley, one of the K.I.S.S. volunteers, noted that helping returning soldiers is as equally as important as helping those who are still serving. “If I bought a car and lost a fender, I wouldn’t throw it away,” Taylor said. “Our soldiers are losing arms and legs and we can’t throw them away. We have to help them get back up.” The volunteers spend about four to five hours a week with planning, organization and implementing ideas, which often takes away time spent doing other things. “I’ve missed a lot of wrestling and stuff,” Daxton said. But the kids aren’t too worried about the missed time. To them, helping the soldiers in any way they can is worth it. Madison McNair said she joined K.I.S.S. because she wanted to help out and show that someone could make a difference. “We want to challenge not only the students, but the community, to help the soldiers,” she said. “It’s not only about helping but about doing the right thing.” For information about K.I.S.S. or to make a donation, call 580-255-1900 or 580-255-1901.