MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — For Manatee County teacher and her small army of little helpers, a welcome of love for children from another part of the world has become their mission. 

Bea Schaeffer is an Art teacher at McNeal Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch.

A while back they were talking about what was happening in Afghanistan and the kids who were refugees. 

"We talked about the children who were coming over and some of them were unaccompanied minors. We talked about the feeling and how they would feel. 'I wish we could help, Miss Schaeffer,' turned into, 'how can we help?'"

The students decided to collect things that would bring comfort to those children far away. 

So far they have filled 46 large bags with donations. With the help of Lutheran Services of Florida, those donations are on their way to kids in Afghanistan.