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If you have questions about I *Heart* My Soldier or would like to participate please email us at mysoldier@mville.edu

A new initiative by the Manhattanville My Soldier program, I Heart My Soldier, asks civilians to send a heartfelt greeting to a soldier deployed far from home for Valentines Day. The program hopes to ease the hardship for soldiers who are spending yet another holiday away from family and friends and was designed in response to the letters and emails received from soldiers at www.mysoldier.com that said the frequency of letters and packages dramatically declines after the December Holidays.

“Traditionally Valentine's Day is a time to reach out to loved ones, family and friends” said My Soldier co-founder, active duty army 2nd LT and Manhattanville College graduate Juan Salas. “We are asking that you consider adding another group of recipients to your list. Please send a valentine to let a soldier know you are thinking of him, or to thank her for all she has done.”

While the regular My Soldier program attempts to foster an ongoing pen-pal relationship, I Heart My Soldier is tailored to those groups or individuals who want to send some support without making a continuing commitment. Participants may opt to adopt one soldier or an entire platoon but must be willing to send each a care package that includes the following items: Homemade Valentines; traditional Valentines Candy such as Sweetheart Conversation Hearts and/or Hershey Kisses; and a small “friendly” gift such as warm socks or a stuffed animal.
Salas, who spent 14 months in Iraq, where he saw active combat duty and was commended for his part in saving the life of a child, has first-hand knowledge of what such a project means to soldiers there. His mission was to “win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.” “It was long,” says Salas. “But the thing that kept me going was getting letters and cards. From families, kids, boy scouts, students, my teachers and yes strangers. Receiving heartfelt messages from unfamiliar people who cared about me was uplifting. Each letter was like a piece of gold. Something you will keep for the rest of your life.”

The My Soldier team has assembled a Hot List with suggested items for a Valentine Care Package that stresses the importance of handmade cards since they have demonstrate you care more than a store-bought card ever could.

“Homemade cards are the best” he said “Soldiers are really touched when they get handwritten cards with personal messages, or an individual’s artwork. This is such a simple way to express gratitude and show support for our troops while providing them with something they will truly appreciate, even cherish."

To find out more about how groups can participate in I *Heart* My Soldier click here

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