Receiving care packages from strangers is something to which many U.S. servicemen and women have become accustomed during their tours of duty. Several organizations offer creative ways for stateside folks to cheer the troops, including Operation Gratitude, Give2TheTroops and Operation Shoebox. While these groups doubtless do much to shore up those men and women far from home, many lack options to specifically target a service member and his or her individual needs. That’s where Troops Need You comes in.

The nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization features a unique approach to charitable giving involving U.S. soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen. Rather than filling a generic care package with health care supplies, food and entertainment items, Troops Need You lets visitors pick a “Battle Buddy,” a specific soldier who will benefit directly from their partner’s efforts. Troops Need You allows anyone to supply their Battle Buddy with things they “really need,” like generators, tool sets, children’s books, medical supplies and other items that don’t usually jump to mind when creating a care package. At www.troopsneedyou.com, visitors can browse through lists of individual soldiers stationed both at home and abroad, each with an interview link that gives some information about the soldier and his or her “mission.” Profile interviews often include photographs of family members and other intimate details, and explanations of exactly what is needed on the ground wherever they are.
http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2010/12/22/community_events/cal663troopsneedu122110.txt