Danny Jones of Rossford woke up every day as if he was in the movie Groundhog Day, doing the same thing over and over.

Stationed in Djibouti, Africa, where temperatures rose well above 100 degrees, Mr. Jones served as U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class. He worked shifts of 14 to 16 hours at Camp Lemonnier as force protector and base police officer. One thing stood out during the routines: care packages from home.

“It is truly, truly appreciated,” Mr. Jones said to about 60 Rossford High School students Wednesday.

“It is a little piece of home. It helps know[ing] that people were thinking about us.”

The high school’s Serving Our Soldiers club is preparing for a three-week collection drive to create care packages to send to 18 local soldiers.

After departing for a military assignment in September, Mr. Jones, who attended Toledo Christian Academy, recently returned from Camp Lemonnier after suffering an injury.

Before his time with the Navy, Mr. Jones was with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Mr. Jones gave tips for care packages. He suggested double wrapping the soap and shampoo so the recipient doesn’t taste Dove in Rice Krispies treats.

He also said baby wipes and foot powder are greatly appreciated.

“I received a package around Thanksgiving with a card from every student at All Saints School,” Mr. Jones said.

“You could see writing skills from kindergarten to first graders, to eighth-grade students.”

That package meant a lot to him.

“It is so heartwarming,” senior Kirsten Keller, 18, said. “To see how he was affected by this makes it that much more enjoyable.”

The collection drive will begin April 13. Donation boxes will be at all Rossford district schools.

The event also will be a competition for the high school to see which class can donate the most.

Toiletries, snacks, candy, socks, and other essentials will be in care packages. Notes will be included too, as Rossford elementary students will help writing letters and cards.

Mr. Jones told students how the handwritten notes are so much more personal and intimate than emails.

Senior Claire Verbosky, 17, said meeting Mr. Jones made the importance of the project hit home.

“It is important everyone gets involved to show our soldiers that the Rossford community cares,” she said.

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.

First Published March 26, 2015, 4:00 a.m.