On a daily basis, soldiers find themselves threatened by suicide bombers and sniper attacks, while living in conditions that remain primitive, sometimes lacking showers, electricity and running water.

And the bare necessities, which are taken for granted by Americans, are the very thing Operation Care and Comfort makes sure these soldiers get.

This grass-roots organization, which works through the Red Cross, provides military care packages to U.S. service members in the Gulf, Afghanistan, Liberia and Balkan conflict regions. It is carried out through the help of the Santa Clara Valley Red Cross and through the full-time volunteer efforts of Willow Glen resident Julie DeMaria and others.

As of two weeks ago, DeMaria reports that Operation Care and Comfort had sent more than 30,000 pounds of bulk goods, food, grooming products, stationery and clothing to the troops. She says that businesses from Willow Glen to the East Coast have heard about the program and contributed.

"We are really proud of all of this," DeMaria says. "We are the only Red Cross chapter that has this program. We're also excited because a lot of the packages are going directly to California-based soldiers."

DeMaria, 46, doesn't have any family ties to troops in the Middle East, but she grew up as the daughter of a military father, who fought in World War II, Vietnam and Korea, so she knows the sacrifice that families are dealing with.

"My dad died about two years ago, and this has become sort of a tribute to him," she says.

DeMaria's goal is to ship about 500 pounds of care packages per week to Iraq, and to do this, she has enlisted help from neighbors and businesses. She said New Jersey­based Wyeth Industries donated 5,000 Chapsticks, Advil bottles and Robitussin packages, and local sports teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the San Jose Sharks have donated sports gear.

After seeking assistance from major businesses and organizations, she found that her largest support system was closer than she thought.

Kim Guzman, DeMaria's sister, works with the San Jose Police Department Operations Support Services Division, and Guzman, 50, told DeMaria that she wanted to help, especially since more than 20 men and women from the police department were activated for duty in Iraq.

Guzman and her colleagues began collecting care-package items in April 2003 and originally planned to end the drive on Mother's Day. But the effort was so successful that the members of the Operations Support Services Division decided to continue their collection until they no longer had any police officers in Iraq.

"I was so proud of my sister's efforts and her passion for the troops, and I understand how she feels because we both grew up in the same military culture," Guzman says. "We've had an overwhelming amount of support, from current and retired members of the division."

Day-shift operations manager Francine Lopez-Inami says different items, including toiletries, treats, health bars, candy, grooming products, socks and underwear were packed for the soldiers. Of the 21 San Jose officers deployed to Iraq, one is still stationed overseas, yet three may return.

"This was just something we could do for the people who are our officers," says the 47-year-old Lopez-Inami. "We've also had some fun shopping for all the items."

San Jose Police Department records division employee Renee Barnette-Gill, 44, says that Guzman asked everyone to also write letters to lift the spirits of the soldiers.

Gill wrote five letters and received two initial responses. After one soldier stopped writing, she continued writing to another soldier, Mark, who has been in Iraq for more than a year. The back-and-forth letter writing between Mark, 48, and Gill quickly turned into what many in the department call "a buddy romance." Gill says she is just excited to finally meet him in person when he returns to California in April.

"I've really enjoyed the whole process," she says. "He can't tell me everything he is doing and there is still a lot I want to know about him, but he loves the packages I send him."

And she adds, trying to conceal her smile, "I'm kind of hoping it works out."

Along with the letters between Mark and Gill, San Jose Police Department recruit Desiree Thompson, who is stationed in Baghdad, has sent letters keeping the department abreast of her duties as part of military security. She is the daughter of San Jose supervising police data specialist Margie Thompson. Desiree relies on baby wipes, flashlights, Febreeze and a limited supply of bottled water, while she lives in a tent. She is surrounded by the sounds of bombs and gunfire when going to sleep and deals with rat infestation daily.

When talking about Thompson's deployment, Guzman says the No. 1 item soldiers ask for in care packages are women's pantyhose. They use the stockings to prevent bites from sand fleas and to pull over the gun barrels to keep the sand out. The second most popular item asked for is baby wipes to keep clean when a shower isn't available.

Guzman is impressed with the generosity of her colleagues at the San Jose Police Department and is grateful for her sister's determination to continue the effort. Both Guzman and DeMaria say the heartfelt letters received from the soldiers make it all worthwhile.

"This is such a generous community," DeMaria says. "I'm pleasantly surprised that this has continued. Every dollar that is donated goes toward the care packages."

For more information about Operation Care and Comfort, contact Julie DeMaria at 408.373.8635 or visit http://www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org.