Most think of paradise as a place where something is better than the present situation.

“Personal Paradise” was born from this idea and is holiday project, which helps soldiers who are serving overseas receive basic comforts at Christmas time.

Ashley Smith of the Calhoun Housing Authority, who works with children at the Imagination Station as a program coordinator, explained that she’d help the children at the center organize the Personal Paradise project.

They will mail men and women overseas a special gift filled shoebox.

“We wanted to give back to the community in some way, form or fashion,” Smith said. “The kids that attend the center are low income, and most are children of one-parent house holds, and many other less fortunate circumstances.”

“Although they are used to being on the receiving side of the fence, I wanted to show them that they are able to give back through love,” she added.

The children, who are between the ages of six and 12, are helping with the packages and will collect shoeboxes and decorate them.

Each box will be filled with travel sized deodorant, hot hands, baby wipes, hard jolly ranchers candy, chap stick, beef jerky, mini ravioli, travel size tooth brushes, socks, soft batch cookies, packs of crackers and scarves.

“The kids are also writing personal letters to the troops,” said Smith. “They are very excited about being able to help someone one.”

The deadline for mail is Dec. 20.

But they need a helping hand.

“Because the programs run on a very low budget we are having to depend on donations from the public in order to complete this project,” Smith said.

To help the children at the Imagination Station launch the Personal Paradise project, email Ashley Smith at divinefavor0930@yahoo.com or call 706-629-2128.