He’s calling it Operation Gratitude.

For the past two weeks, Glenville-Emmons High School senior Michael Adams has made it his mission to help troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Coming from a family of veterans, he said he often thinks about the country’s troops overseas.

He was approached with an idea from his neighbor, Kevin Weitzel, who organized a snowmobile show in support of the troops last summer, to host a drive for DVDs and Beanie Babies at the school.

“It’s an easy way to help the soldiers,” Adams said. “Everybody’s got DVDs they don’t watch anymore.”

The DVDs will be sent to the soldiers to watch during their spare time and to share among fellow soldiers.

Adams said the soldiers appreciate the DVDs so much because it brings a little “home” to them.

The Beanie Babies will aid in the war itself.

The high school senior said he’s heard from Weitzel, who regularly sends care packages to soldiers, that the soldiers use the Beanie Babies as an exchange for information.

He said the children of Iraq and Afghanistan will tell all for a Beanie Baby. This information has saved many soldiers’ lives because of children telling where road bombs have been placed.

“Many of us have collections of these stuffed away at home,” he said. “Would you be interested in parting with any of yours?”

Adams made up a letter to send to all the Glenville-Emmons Elementary School students and their parents about the project, and so far he’s gotten over 150 Beanie Babies and 50 DVDs.

The drive continues through Friday.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so in a box set up in the main entrance of the elementary school.

The donations will go out in care packages to troops in the beginning of March.