Tunes 4 the Troops has found a new home at Tennessee Tech University.

Tunes 4 the Troops is a nonprofit organization which sends CDs and DVDs to overseas troops. The organization was founded in 2005 by then 14-year-old Kaylee Radzyminski.

Throughout her entire high school career, Radzyminski dedicated as many as 20 hours per week to the organization in addition to her academic and extracurricular activities.

When Radzyminski left to go to Tennessee Tech University in the fall of 2009 she thought it would be the end of her ability to support the military through her organization. However, with the support of Tennessee Tech University’s President Dr. Robert Bell, vice president of Extended Programs Dr. Susan Elkins, the University’s Service Learning Center and Rotary District 6780, Radzyminski and Tunes 4 the Troops will continue supporting troops serving in combat zones.

The first joint effort between the university and the organization will be a packing party at Cleveland High Shool Saturday. The goal is to send more than 40,000 new and used CDs and DVDs along with MP3 players and I-Pods to soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

The packing party will begin at 8 a.m. More than 200 boxes are expected to be shipped.

Tennessee Tech students, faculty and alumni, Lee University students, Cleveland Community College students, Rotary members, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine recruiters along with residents of Cleveland and Chattanooga are scheduled to volunteer for the event. The packing party is also open to any one wanting to help. Monetary donations and DVD and CD donations will also be accepted at the party.

A press conference is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. for the official announcement of the university’s involvement with the organization.

This effort will bring the total of sent items to almost 700,000 since 2005, with an estimated value of more than $12 million.

Radzyminski is an ROTC Army Cadet and engineering major at Tennessee Tech University.