A Newberry man is partnering with schools to make the days brighter for those who are deployed.

Michael Taylor works for Diversified Computer Solutions (DCS) and had wanted the Columbia computer service to do something to encourage those who were deployed.

When Taylor was made a vice president of the company he proposed his idea.

The idea was to have school children write letters to soldiers and the company would have them delivered. The idea led to "Dear Soldier" being formed.

Taylor has written to every school district in the state asking for classes to write letters.

Just before Christmas the company sent 10,000 letters from schools in North and South Carolina, and they arrived to the soldiers just before Christmas.

Taylor said Prosperity-Rikard students wrote more than 500 letters. Letters also came in from Newberry Academy, Pomaria-Garmany, Newberry High and Elementary schools.

“I hope to get every school in the county to write letters,“ said Taylor, adding the letters can be used as writing assignments.

Taylor says he hopes to mail over 100,000 letters this year.

“We'll do this until they are no longer deployed,“ he said.

Taylor says he goes over each letter carefully and throws out any with anti-military wording or political thoughts.

“We only want letters that show support,“ said the Mid-Carolina graduate.

He adds that some student's have had the soldiers' return letters to them. He says students are allowed to sign their name and use their school's address for return letters. No home addresses are allowed.

He also hopes to find ways for schools to adopt a unit and to have a free on-line service where soldiers and students can create their own blogs.

For more information on “Dear Soldier“ or to sign up a school go to dearsoldier@godcs.com.