Dear Fellow American,

All the political controversy about the War on Terror has left many of our soldiers around the world feeling like their country is no longer behind them. We know that's not true.

Most of us civilians can only imagine what it must be like to spend months or even years far from home, somewhere roadside bombs are just a fact of life, little things we take for granted like freshly baked cookies and snacks are treasured treats and conditions are sometimes so primitive even a PX is a luxury.

At Treats for Troops we're proud to offer every caring American a practical, personal and easy way to show our soldiers that no matter what they hear on the news, their sacrifices are appreciated. Their country is behind them. And they are not forgotten.

I thought you might enjoy reading this thank you note from a soldier who received an unexpected and very welcome package from a sponsor through Treats for Troops:

His note is typical of the messages sponsors who send packages to soldiers through Treats for Troops receive - because almost everyone writes to say he or she shared their package, no matter how big or small, with their fellow soldiers. No one has to tell the men and women serving our country to share their treats. Sharing is a way of life for our troops.

To learn how you can send a soldier a package through Treats for Troops Foster-A-Soldier™ Program, click here.

To learn more about Treats for Troops' mission and find out why our soldiers need your support now more than ever, read on.

I'm a business woman from Denver. I'm also a former military wife, and have a son on active duty in the Air Force. I founded Treats for Troops in 2003 after security concerns forced the government to suspend popular support programs that allowed citizens who didn't know anyone in the military to send a care package to "Any Soldier."

I know firsthand what a difference a package from home makes in a soldier's life. I also believed that if I worked hard enough, I could find a secure way to keep the spirit of the "Any Soldier" program alive. We patriotic Americans have a long and proud history of rallying behind our troops. I wasn't about to let the Unibomber or terrorists take that right away from us.

I launched Treats for Troops at http://cl.e.newsmax.com/?ffcb10-fe6411777566007a7415-fdf416787667047e771d7773-ff2c1d70746d in June of 2003, after nearly a year of research and planning. Our unique Foster-A-Soldier™ Program provides a simple, secure way for any caring American to send a package to an American soldier anywhere in the world with a few clicks of the mouse.

We've been featured on national television, including Neal Cavuto's My World, on radio and in newspapers across the country, and were recently recommended by Family Circle magazine. American troops all over the world are a tightly knit family; as word has spread about the high quality and little touches that go into packages from Treats for Troops, thousands of new soldiers have registered with our Foster-A-Soldier Program.

And that's why I'm writing you now.

You see, after the holidays the number of people sending packages naturally dropped off. But the number of soldiers registering keeps climbing. So now there are thousands of soldiers who have registered since the holidays who are still waiting to receive a care package from home.

Christmas is many months away. And our mission is to provide a source of year round support for our men and women in uniform, because there's no season for putting a smile on a soldier's face. It only takes a few minutes to visit our Gift Shops, select a soldier and send a package. Those few minutes can make a real difference in a soldier's life.

Here's a typical thank you note someone who sent a package to a soldier recently received:

How Treats for Troops Works

Our Gift Shops are filled with items we know soldiers want and need. In Gifts to Go you'll find packages that start at just $19.95. If you're not sure what to send, the Treats for Troops Top Ten is a great, because it features all ten of our most popular treats, including home-style freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, hand and face wipes and one of the most popular gifts of all, an AT&T phone card.

If you'd prefer to put together your own custom package, just visit the shops on Market Street, where you can choose from hundreds of items soldiers want and need, from fudge to flashlights.

We even have a program that lets you send a Happy Birthday package to a soldier having a birthday in the next 30 - 60 days.

To visit the Treats for Troops Gift Shops, click here.

That's all there is to it: choose your soldier, or let us choose one for you, go shopping, create a personal message to go with your gift if you choose, and we do the rest. It only takes a few minutes to Foster-A-Soldier, send a package, and make a soldier smile.

Every package is carefully packed in our secure fulfillment center, the proper paperwork is completed, and then the package is shipped according to all USPS and military regulations.

We include a thank you note the soldier can complete and return in every package, as well as registration cards so soldiers can encourage their friends to register.

For security reasons, thank you notes and e-mails come back to Treats for Troops; the note or message is then forwarded to the person who sent the package. Imagine opening up your mail one day and reading this:

How the Foster-A-Soldier™ Program Works

Soldiers register themselves, or are registered by family members, so everyone in our Foster-A-Soldier™ Program is hoping to receive a package from home. You can choose a soldier to sponsor by gender, branch of service of home state. Or you can let the program choose the soldier who's been waiting the longest to receive a package from home.

If your company, group or organization would like to sponsor several soldiers, we have personal shoppers who will do all the work for you. All you have to do is contact groupgift@treatsfortroops.com, talk about your budget and objectives, and we'll do the rest.

We even have several units who've been registered by their commanding officers. Some of these men and women are on their second or even third tour of duty. Group sizes range from as few as six soldiers to nearly 500. If you're interested in supporting any size unit, send an e-mail to unitsupport@treatsfortroops.com

Companies who are proud of our soldiers and would like to help us make sure packages are going out all year long can also be part of our customized Corporate Sponsor Program. For more information, send an e-mail to corporatesponsor@treatsfortroops.com

Treats for Troops recognized for efforts

We're proud of the many commendations, certificates of appreciation, endorsements and links we've received from Congressmen and women, the government, the military and the media.

We are proud to be featured in the military museum. SSG Noreen Feeney, the Commander of the 49th Military History unit says "care packages from the States are a really significant part of a soldier's morale. My job is to collect artifacts and information I think will be important fifty years from now. I think Treats for Troops will be an important part of military history."

We're even more proud of the fact that through Treats for Troops, caring Americans have been able to put of smiles on the faces of many thousands of soldiers.

A word about security. Our top-secret database is maintained on a highly secure server with multiple firewalls. No one has access to the database except for TFT employees who have clearance. No contact information for soldiers or the people who send packages is ever given out. And we don't accept donated goods except occasionally from our Corporate Sponsors; everything we offer in our Gift Shops is purchased directly from the manufacturer or a reliable wholesaler or distributor.

Visit Treats for Troops Now. Won't you take a few minutes to visit http://cl.e.newsmax.com/?ffcb10-fe6411777566007a7415-fdf416787667047e771d7773-ff2c1d70746d and consider sending a soldier a package through our Foster-A-Soldier™ Program? If you let the system choose for you, you'll be sure your package is going to the soldier who has been waiting the longest to receive a package.

On behalf of all the men and women serving our country all over the world,

Thank you.

Deborah Crane

President, Treats for Troops

P.S. Please forward this to anyone else you think might be interested in sending care packages to our troops, or anyone with friends or family in the military who would like to register their loved one.

Treats for Troops
Foster-A-Soldier Program

Gift Shops

I want to Foster a Soldier Now

Soldier Registration Center

Here's a small sampling of the thank you notes and e-mails soldiers have sent their sponsors through Treats for Troops:

Dear Debbie Crowe:

Thank you so much for the package you sent me.  Today was becoming a very long day and when the USPS box arrived I thought it was going to be more work to do. I opened the box with several other soldiers and it quickly brightened our day. I shared the cookies and snacks with my friends and we all appreciated your gifts to us. It is a good feeling to know that our fellow Americans care about us and what we do.

Thanks again,
Justin

Awesome Cookies

I wanted to thank you for the package.  It was great.  Those were some awesome cookies.  I said were because I swallowed them up pretty quick.  You really put a smile on my face.  It is very encouraging to know that you care about us and support us.  Thank you for everything.  The phone card is awesome.  I know my mom and dad will love hearing from me more.  You are great.  I appreciate it soo much.

A1C Kenneth Houwers
Kirkuk Iraq
Air Traffic Controller
RE: 33989

We'll Be There
for You

Dear Michelle Griffith:

I received my care package in the mail today and I was delighted when I
opened it. It was filled with delicious treats and some really nice gifts. I
would like to say thank you. It brightened up my day and reminded me that the people in the US stand behind us and support us in our mission. You will always be there for us and we'll be
there for you!

Thanks again,
SFC Patricia Keller
US Army

"Your care package is greatly appreciated, especially now I was wounded this week by a roadside bomb and am recovering so I can get back out there to find who placed the device I never wanted a Purple Heart but at least I am still here. Again, thank you for your generosity and support."

SSG David
TF1-68 Armor

"I am in command of a unit in Iraq, and often work in our post office here. I see many of the packages you send to soldiers in need. I know my soldiers are very appreciative and thankful for the treats and what you do. Your organization is wonderful and uplifting. The support you show for the military is refreshing and welcomed.

CPT Rob Barnhill

You Make a Difference

Dear Roder Russo:

I would just like to thank you for the very thoughtful gifts that I received yesterday (21 Dec 05).  The snack food is great to have, and is a break from what we have or can get here. The Christmas tree brightened up my office and the phone cards will help me stay in contact with home.  I just want you to know that you made a difference in my and several other service members holidays. We appreciate your sentiments and taking the time to spend your money and send the gifts. We know that you did not have to do this. Take care and have a Happy Holidays!

Thanks again,
Shawn

Dear Babs Conley:

Your packaged arrived today!  What a great treat and welcomed piece of home. Thanks very much for thinking of us during the holiday season.  I have about 467 Marines here with me and will be sharing some of the items with them. Your generosity means a great deal and I want to thank you for your support. I hope that you have a great holiday season and a prosperous new year.  I am enjoying some the mixed nuts already.  Thanks again.

Semper Fidelis
Mike Sweeney

Soldier from Miami Says Thanks

Dear Mark Woods:

I would really like to thank you for all the support you give. It is very hard in Iraq being away from family so long. I am 24 years old and from Miami FL. Again Thanks for the support. We, the soldiers defending our country and our way of life, love it!!

SPC Noel

Almost Home

Dear Michael Traynor:

Thank you Michael from IN, for the package, it really brightened my day. It's a good feeling to know that individuals like yourself take time out of your busy schedule to show appreciation for the troops. It's been a long and enduring deployment for me over the last 17 months. I will finally get to be with my family in the near future. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Once again thanks, and may God continue to bless you and your family.

Jerome

Package Helps Maintain Marine Morale

Dear Craig Wilder:

The Marines here at Communication/Electronics Maintenance Platoon would like to thank you for your support. I just want say thanks for taking time to support us, when we receive these packages it just helps show that there are people that care and helps keep the morale up on our side.

Thanks for the support,
PFC Nickolas Busby

A Happy Birthday Thanks

Dear Richard Johnson:

Thank you very much for my birthday care package. It made my day. I'll be here for my birthday, but my team and I are proud to be here for you and the rest of the U.S.A. I'm also from the Great State of New Jersey. Again thank you for your care package.

SSG Chris Hof

Thanks again,
Jarrod

A Hurricane Katrina Thanks

Huey

It just feels good

Sincerely,
William C. Little

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