It's already time to start thinking about the holidays and more importantly, those individuals who will be away from family and friends this holiday season.

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) hosts a project to send care packages to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, they hope to send desperately needed school supplies and toys to schools and children living in those same Middle Eastern countries.

The program sent packages to 1,000 soldiers last year, the project aims to hit the same number of recipients this year.

Companies, organizations and individuals throughout Milwaukee are asked to join together and collect necessary new or used items to be organized into care packages and shipped overseas in December.

Desired items include DVDs, CDs, paperback books, personal hygiene items, non-perishable food items and crossword puzzles or comic books. For children, schools are in need of old company stationary, pens, crayons, chalk, notebooks, stuffed animals and small toys.

"Once we have the troop names, we ask that people send a note, card or letter. We collect those about 10 days prior to sending the packages to make sure each soldier gets a few letters," says Rick Gagliano, director of MSOE Student Activities. "This part of the process tends to be the most important to the soldier, receiving a personal letter thanking them for their service."

For a full list of items, check the project's Web site. All items must be dropped off at MSOE by Dec. 4.

If you or someone in your office knows of an individual serving abroad who is in need of a care package, please submit their name and address by Nov. 20.

You can find all the information by visiting the MSOE Student Activities Center or contacting Gagliano.