Southeastern Virginia firefighters have collected more than 1,300 movie DVDs in an effort to provide soldiers in Iraq some recreational relief.

Chesapeake firefighter Mark Snyder organized the drive after his brother, an Army chaplain, exchanged an e-mail mentioning the idea of a morale boost amongst GI's fighting the War in Iraq.

Firefighters, along with members of the community, have made not only DVD contributions, but also donated to a Snack drive that will accompany the movie delivery.

The movies will be divided into groups to create "film libraries" for individual military units.

So far, the DVD count includes only those collected by firefighters. But the number will increase once they add up movies contributed by Movie Gallery, Suncoast Motion Picture and Barnes & Noble stores. International Paper's Chesapeake Container Division donated collection boxes, and a Williamsburg business gave 10 DVD players.