Company Helps You Brighten a Soldier's Day

It is a time-honored tradition to send care packages to soldiers overseas. But with increased security concerns and reams of red tape to go through, sending a package to military personnel can be a daunting task.

However, one company is doing its best to make it easy for any American to send care packages year-round to help boost the morale of thousands of U.S. military men and women.

Treats for Troops, a Colorado-based company, is the brainchild of Deborah Crane, a businesswoman, military mother and former military wife. Its Web site, provides a huge selection of themed care packages with names like 'Snack Attack" and "Crazy for Chocolate."

The packages contain goodies and necessities, from sweet and salty snacks to games to Ziploc bags. Creative shoppers also can pick out items to create their own custom packages. The company then packs and ships the gifts on the senders' behalf and in accordance with military rules.

"I'm proud that so many troops are receiving packages year-round through Treats for Troops," Crane said.

With Treats for Troops' unique Foster-A-Soldier program, you can choose to send a package to a soldier based on home state, military branch, gender and area of deployment. If you do not specify anything, the site will choose the soldier who has been waiting the longest to receive a package.

Unsure of what to send? The site is filled with items that soldiers most want and need, with packages starting at less than $20. In addition, there is a "Top Ten" package featuring the most popular treats.

Treats for Troops also has a group gift department that provides personal shopping services for those who do not have time to shop, or groups who wish to sponsor more than one soldier.

You can create a personal message to go with your package. Treats for Troops also forwards notes and e-mails from soldiers to the sponsor who sent the package. "It is nice to know that someone out there cares about us and understands that mail is one of the things that keeps us motivated," noted one recipient in a thank-you letter. "Thanks for your part in helping us to keep the peace."