Due to the generosity of local residents, at least one unit serving in Iraq is in better spirits this week.

That would be the unit of Simi Valley native and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Kidd, which this month received 31 boxes of goodies collected throughout May at the Curves for Women gym on Cochran Street.

"Everybody in the unit was so excited," said Jennifer Kidd, Michael's mother and a teacher at Trinity Lutheran Preschool. "Being able to share the goods with the whole unit was really nice."

Simi Valley residents donated more than 475 pounds of items during last month's collection drive, which was organized by a group of women at Curves after they discovered that one of their fellow gym members- Jennifer- had a son serving in Iraq.

The items collected included canned goods, movie DVDs, music CDs, hand-held games, Gatorade, candy and snacks.

"We had people coming in with all kinds of goods. It was very, very nice," said Linda Vaughan, manager at Curves. "We want to thank everyone."

Of all the goods that were sent to the troops, Kidd suspects it's the edible items that the troops will enjoy most.

"The soldiers don't really get hot meals where they are stationed," Kidd said. "The unit really appreciated getting the snacks."

Michael Kidd, 28, e-mailed his mom and his dad, Marvin Kidd, a retired Los Angeles police officer, last week.

He told his parents how much the soldiers appreciated the packages and sent a message to the community back home.

"Thank you so very much for your support and your prayers."

Michael Kidd graduated from Simi Valley High School in 1997. He joined the U.S. Army in 2003 and started his first tour of duty in Iraq in November 2007.

His wife, Danielle, and two children live in Utah. His family anxiously waits his next "R and R" visit, scheduled for August.

Jennifer Kidd said she is still blown away by the response to Curves' collection drive, which was publicized in the Acorn.

"There are many people who support the troops and showed it by their donations," she said. "I'm amazed and so appreciate their response."