Residents of Whispering Oaks in Hermitage did their part for the war effort Friday by delivering cakes to the soldiers at the 347th Quartermaster unit at Pendel-Caminiti U.S. Army Reserve Center in Farrell before they head off to Fort Dix, N.J. on Monday.

Whispering Oaks co-managers Jack and Denise Graham coordinated the event. Their 20-year-old son, Zachary, is a petroleum supply specialist with the unit.

"I'm really proud of him," Mrs. Graham said. "I hate to see him leave college, but he loves the army ... he's really enjoyed it."

The Grahams had been talking getting cakes for the soldiers for a few months. Their son had heard as early as Christmas that the unit might be deployed.

"The other night we decided to just go ahead and do it," Mrs. Graham said.

They ordered three large cakes from Magnotto's Shop 'N Save in Hermitage, which routinely supplies the independent retirement living center with cakes. The icing on one cake read "We're Proud of You," another said "Return Home Safely" and the third read "God Speed."

Then they loaded up the cakes and a busload of Whispering Oaks residents to head to the reserves base.

"They've been giving them three meals a day. We thought we'd give them a break and bring them dessert so they don't have to be baking desserts," Mrs. Graham said.

The unit's orders are for 365 days, but they could be gone any time between six and 12 months.

Zachary said he feels very proud to be leaving with his unit. "I think this is something that needs to be done," he said.