Care packages from all over the South Bay are collected here before being sent off to Iraq. The packages are meant for American soldiers serving in Iraq and donated by the community in Saratoga. They are scheduled to reach the soldiers just around the Christmas holiday season.

Bell and Wasserman are volunteers at the Saratoga Senior Center and have recently started a social club at the center. They planned shopping trips and dinners in the past.

"We are so well off here. We thought we would do something for the troops, so we designed a flier and put the word out," Bell said.

Bell and Wasserman said that they have been overwhelmed by the response they have gotten from community members.

Bell said that the whole idea had started out as a goodwill gesture. "All these poor men and women are in the trenches," she said. "This is just a little bit we are sending to them, on behalf of the senior center."

She said that this was going to be an ongoing project at the center. "They are still collecting for the Marines, the Army and the infantry. We aim to keep participating in this effort and send more packages over," Bell said.

This was an effort to send over items that the soldiers in Iraq would not get, she said. "We are sending over fun stuff like dried cranberries and Oreo cookies."

Bell said that she was happy that so many people in Saratoga were of a giving nature. Along with individuals, stores like Trader Joe's and Longs also sent in some packages.

Wasserman said that phone cards make very good gifts because the soldiers are able to call their family and friends. "We are also looking for people who might be willing to donate their frequent flier miles," she said. The soldiers can use the miles to fly back home.

"It was amazing that people responded in such short notice," Wasserman said. "We were mulling in our heads and thinking of what we could do to help, and Pearl came up with this idea."

Greg Kihn, a DJ at the 98.5 KFOX radio station in San Jose, has been leading the effort to collect care packages in the area. The radio station has been working with a Red Cross program called Operation Care and Comfort. "Our listeners are very patriotic," said Kihn. "People do not have to stick with the list of items that can be donated. They can be creative and imaginative and donate any items that can survive the travel."

Kihn said that he had found that Dr. Scholl's feet pads make an ideal gift because the soldiers are on their feet all day long. "Socks are good, too," he said. With Christmas around the corner, board games like Monopoly or chess also make good gifts, according to Kihn.

"There are a lot of people motivated by patriotism. They might not say it aloud but in their hearts they want to help," he said.

"This is one country and one community working together. Saratoga wants to help the men and women of our armed forces," Bell said.

The social group at the Saratoga Senior Center wants to help the American troops in Iraq. Residents can show their support by donating items at the Saratoga Senior Center on 19655 Allendale Ave. The items can be dropped off anytime before Nov. 30, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information or questions, call Pearl Bell at 408.204.7077.