This holiday season, many members of the U.S. armed forces serving abroad won’t make it home to their families. But it is easier than ever to send some of the comforts of home to them; AnySoldier.com connects people who want to send care packages to active duty soldiers, marines, and airmen. Stationed in Iraq in 2003, Army Sgt. Brian Horn began distributing packages addressed to “Any Soldier” to the soldiers in his unit who were not receiving mail, and by January 2004 the effort reached out to “any member, of any of the Armed Forces in harms way.” The site includes recommendations for what to send to the servicemen and women listed, and instructions on how to send it. Another helpful site is TreatAnySoldier, through which Horn’s mother, a retired Army MP herself, provides preassembled care packages loaded with snacks, books, DVDs, hygiene products, and other goodies specially chosen for Iraq-climate use and durability.

–Sarah Janssen