GRAND CHUTE, WI — Last month, J.J. Keller & Associates Inc. shipped 25 stuffed dogs to Dan Fritsch, an employee serving in Afghanistan, so the U.S. Army reservist could share the toys with hospitalized children.

Tuesday, a group of "bigs and littles" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fox Valley Region took a lesson from Fritsch's thoughtful generosity by showing their appreciation for him and fellow soldiers.

With calculators in hand and $2,500 to spend thanks to the J.J. Keller Foundation, the eight combed the aisles of Sam's Club loading pallets with beef jerky, Gatorade packets, peanuts, gum, energy bars and other high-protein snacks, plus allergy medication and nasal spray to help combat desert dust.

"I think it's awesome he's helping other people in Afghanistan and I think he's going to like that we are thankful to him and the other soldiers," said Victoria Nickasch, 14, Appleton, as she compared prices on breakfast bars.

Everyone wore a button with a photo of Fritsch, an employee of J.J. Keller & Associates of Neenah.

That photo made it all the more real for them, the girls said, and that's just what Tracey Jenks, Big Brothers Big Sisters executive director, had hoped when the foundation made her an offer she couldn't refuse.

The foundation wanted a local nonprofit to be involved in spending the money, preferably a group of kids who would benefit from some life skills training in budgeting, shopping and teamwork.

"It was really a question of what kind of experience could this turn into for kids," said Mary Harp-Jirschele, foundation executive director. "Big Brothers Big Sisters was the perfect fit." The nonprofit matches youth ages 6 to 18 with adult role models.

"Talk about a life lesson, this is it," said Jenks. "It's a unique partnership and a win-win-win.

"I hope the kids will feel they made a difference in someone's life."

"It feels really good because we know there's a lot of stuff going on in Afghanistan and the soldiers will really appreciate what we're getting them," said Stacie Nyman, 15, Appleton.

"He's done something for us, and it feels like I really helped him," said Natalie Jensen, 11, Neenah, as she loaded boxes of pistachios onto a pallet. "It feels special."

Rachel Jezeski, 12, Black Creek, kept Fritsch firmly in mind as she consulted his wish list. "He's probably going to like the beef jerky the most," she said. "He looks like he likes it a lot."

Once the supplies are boxed up and shipped to Kandahar, "bigs" and "littles" from the entire organization will write cards and letters to Fritsch and his unit at their annual picnic July 25.