The Awesome Gang is getting into the holiday spirit early this year. On Sunday night, the group invited campus residents and staff to join them in making Christmas cards to send to soldiers through the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Surrounded by friends, and with the sounds of Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls and other Christmas favorites playing in the background, this crew of crafty card-makers produced handmade cards that will surely spread cheer this holiday season. The cards will be distributed by the Red Cross to distribute to military installations, military and VA medical facilities and veterans organizations throughout the world. The Awesome Gang is a group for children between the ages of six and 11 living at the National Home. They meet once a month to work on life skills. Meetings can cover topics from sewing and cooking to sportsmanship, goal-setting and expressing needs and wants. They also volunteer for local organizations like the Eaton County Humane Society and Island City Assisted Living. Awesome Gang members earn points by attending meetings, participating in campus events, volunteering and completing projects throughout the year, and those who earn enough points get to go on a special trip in the summer.