As promised, here are some of the organizations out there that will help you adopt a person or even a whole platoon. CAVEAT EMPTOR: I cannot vouch for these organizations - I've been reviewing sites since I got home, but I have no idea whether these are legit organizations (other than the USO, of course).

The ones I have listed seem to be truly legit, but I've only had about an hour or two to research them. My suggestion is that if you want to help, you go check these groups out yourself and decide if you feel comfortable with it. Many of these do hold charitable organization status from the IRS, if that means anything, and a number require you to be approved before they'll give you the name of a soldier to send stuff to.

USO

Soldiers Angels

AnySoldier.com

Adoptaplatoon

Operation Military Pride

Cheers,

Siren

EDIT:

I've decided I'm going to go with Soldiers Angels, since I know the local organizer here in NC. She's actually one of my video store customers, go figure. Kathi Lee Gifford is also an official celebrity sponsor (although given her rep, that may hurt 'em more than help 'em) and they have been in business since 2003. It looks like a decent outfit, and I'm happy that we'll be helping. Also, don't forget: there are lots of women in the armed forces these days. Just think about what it must be like to be a woman in such a harsh environment!