NORMAL - Tisha Timan was surprised to experience life as a celebrity Thursday at Colene Hoose Elementary School, where her daughter attends third grade.

Children crowded around Timan, an Illinois Army National Guard Sergeant First Class and mom to nine-year-old Cierra, and asked for her autograph.

She was one of several special guests at the school to help students prepare another batch of gifts to send to soldiers stationed overseas, a project of the State Farm Military Affinity group.

"We appreciate these drawings," said Eric Cook, a U.S. Air Force soldier based in Peoria with the 182nd Air Support Operations Center, as he held some pictures students had made. "They boost morale," said Cook, a 19-year veteran. "They are uplifting."

Cook, who soon will go to Afghanistan, has two young children. He encouraged the Hoose children to "keep on doing what you're doing."

Timan, of Mattoon-based Alpha Company 634, joined the Army to get a college education. She stayed for 13 years because she enjoys it. "I like helping people," she said.

She returned in October from Iraq. "I received five boxes when I was there. It was awesome," said Timan, who was overseas for a year.

Her favorite treat was Oreo cookies, but said Girl Scout cookies were also a big hit.

The visitors addressed students in each of three lunch periods, and took part in a "packing party" led by Leisa Barbour's fifth-grade class.

Barbour had students write to the troops as an "authentic writing activity." Every year, her students choose to continue the effort, which helps them understand about freedom, she said.

"I thought it would make it more real for the kids," she said.

This was the second time the school invited troops to be part of the packing party, where 20 boxes with loaded with hard candies, white socks, movies, DVDs, cookies, notes and other items.

"The letters you send are wonderful," said Willie Brown, State Farm's executive vice president. "Thanks for making a difference."

Sometimes, youngsters think they can't change things, said Sharon McCauley, who leads the affinity group's Adopt a Soldier program. "But you do have power to affect positive change in the world," she said. "You not only can do it, you did it."

Timan was pleased with the response from the children. "They're great. I wasn't expecting them to ask for autographs," she said. It means a lot that the children "think you are doing something wonderful."

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Randall Jones, a Vietnam veteran who is a member of the affinity group, said his generation helped define a country in which people support the troops when in an unpopular war.