"They're away from home and we need to show our support," she said. "Whatever your stance on the war, we've got to support other Americans who are voluntarily doing a job for us."

DeMaria began sending care packages in March 2003 under a project she organized, Operation Yellow Ribbon. As the donations and community interest grew, the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley chapter adopted the program, which became Operation Care and Comfort.

DeMaria said she is proud that the local community has shipped 52,000 pounds of care packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last 18 months. She hopes to send more care packages with holiday stationery and gifts before next year.

"The thing I like about the program is that people can give their time, energy or money to help our soldiers," she said.

San Jose police detective Frank Keffer III served in Iraq with the 341st Military Police Army Reserve Company for 14 months as a military Reservist. He returned home in June and said the packages made such a difference in morale that he wanted to volunteer to help assemble them.

"Being in the military, I knew mail was the most important thing," Keffer said.

He calls his first package, which contained snacks, a San Francisco Giants hat and a San Jose Sharks T-shirt, "a pleasant surprise to say the least."

"For people to take the time to think of me—it was overwhelming," Keffer said.

After the first delivery, he said he didn't expect to receive any more packages. But through Operation Care and Comfort, he was shipped 19 boxes with hygiene items, Nerf footballs, games, books and magazines.

"It was unbelievable to know people were thinking about us," he said. "I did not expect people from California to do this, because it's more liberal than other parts of the country."

Keffer said he received more gifts than he could use and enjoyed sharing them with fellow soldiers and Iraqi people.

The frisbees and Nerf footballs he received allowed him and his comrades to "be able to let loose" in a stressful situation.

The items and volunteer-written letters were "really meaningful," he added. "I would do anything to be able to pay them back."

Keffer credits DeMaria for her tireless work and said, "She is there 24/7. She doesn't take any limelight; she's a remarkable lady."

DeMaria does not have any relatives who are stationed in the Middle East, but her father fought in World War II, Vietnam and Korea. As a tribute to her father, who died two years ago, DeMaria said she wants to help those who are still making sacrifices for their country.

Her efforts also have other benefits. Returning soliders like Keffer often develop strong friendships with DeMaria and the other volunteers who supported them overseas.

"These guys are like brothers to me," she said. "They're good family friends."

Even though the war has lasted longer than originally expected, DeMaria has not tired of coordinating the care-packages program full time.

"We support 25 units," she said. "And we ship every week. Lately we've received a lot of donations, and the community has really come forward."

The care packages include hygiene items like hotel toiletries, Chapstick, toothbrushes and toothpaste, stationery, stickers, underwear, feminine products, sunscreen, snacks and beef jerky.

"We're really desperate for toothbrushes and toothpaste," she said. The operation also has to raise the funds to ship the supplies overseas, which costs about $1 per pound.

Donations can be dropped off at the Red Cross, 2731 N. First St., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or in Willow Glen at 2392 Walden Square between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. A fundraiser carwash is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 18950 Almaden Road. For more information, contact Renata Carico at 408.509.8747.