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N.J. 11-Year-Old Making Care Packages For Uncle, Fellow Soldiers In Afghanistan

SECAUCUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The lazy days of summer have turned into much more for a girl from the Garden State.

That girl is busy making care packages for soldiers, with one special person putting her on a mission to provide the support.

"He's sweet and nice and he's always cheerful, and he plays with us all the time," Cassidy Gonzalez told CBS 2's Christine Sloan in reference to her uncle.

When 11-year-old Gonzalez talks about her uncle, her face lights up. But that smile slowly fades away when she remembers the day that he left for his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"He didn't want me to come because he knew I would probably cry," Gonzalez said. "I am worried about him because where he is. It's very dangerous."

Because of her worries, the sixth grader said she is now on a mission.

"We have Monopoly Deal Card Game and Scrabble SLAM!" Gonzalez said as she took items out of a paper bag.

She's collected tons of items that fill her dining room, and plans on sending care packages to her uncle and members of his unit.

"First I wanted to send something to my uncle, and then I decided a couple of minutes later, 'Why don't I just send it to all of them?'" Gonzalez said.

She's even placed drop boxes in businesses all over Secaucus, where she lives, and has her cousin and stepsister pitching in.

"There's a lot of stuff that I help Cassidy carry to the car," said Brianna Marmora, Gonzalez's stepsister.

And then there's the fundraiser that she's organized, but not with the money people have given her.

"I used my birthday money," Gonzalez explained.

And her uncle's letters keep her going.

"They are all excited that you're doing this and can't wait to get the packages," Gonzalez said as she read a letter from her uncle.

Gonzalez has gotten a whole bunch of boxes, and after her fundraiser this month she's going to take all of the stuff  and send it off to her uncle and members of his unit in Afghanistan.

Gonzalez's fundraiser will be held on July 17 at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Secaucus.

Offer your thoughts and comments on this inspiring youngster's project below...

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