Christmas care packages are on the way to about 100 Blair County military personnel stationed throughout the United States and around the world.

About 60 members of the U.S. Armed Forces Mothers, Squad 41, and other volunteers prepared the packages Saturday at the Jaffa Shrine during their 25th annual Christmas Box Packaging.

Those who receive the holiday packages are very appreciative of the group's efforts, said Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Scott Stoy, an Altoona native stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

"When we get these care packages, it remotivates you to the cause, it makes you realize how much the people back home appreciate what we are doing," said Stoy who has spent time in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. "One of the things we love most are the letters from the elementary kids. They are always nice to read. I hang them on the walls. The cookies are real good, too."

The boxes are being to sent to locations such as Korea, the Philippines, Germany, Great Britain, Afghanistan, Iraq and all over the United States, said Louann Leamer of Altoona, group president.

The boxes contain numerous items, including homemade cookies and fudge, as each member bakes 17 dozen cookies to be distributed, Leamer said.

Each service member will receive a stainless steel mug, tumbler and key chain with their branch of military service on it. They also will get toiletries, shaving supplies, shower gel and all kinds of foods including raisins, pudding, cracker jacks, Ramen noodles and other snacks.

If a soldier is stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan, his or her children will get a box of toys.

"The most important thing we send is mama's love; this is a labor of love," Leamer said.

The mothers said it makes them feel good to be able to help the soldiers.

"It makes you feel that if you can't be with them you are sending part of yourself by baking your own cookies to let them know we are thinking about them," said Karen McGraw of Altoona.

"This is the least we can do for the guys who provide us with the freedom that enables us to do what we want to do," said Nancy Weimer of Altoona.

Susan Rea of Hollidaysburg said it gives the mothers a huge sense of satisfaction to send the Christmas packages.

"We get so many thank you notes and cards. We know how much it means to them that people here are thinking about them," Rea said.

Leamer has been a member since the group's beginning.

"My kids have been out of the service for years but I am still here and doing it as enthusiastically as I always have. We do what we can do to let them know that the place they call home supports and loves them," Leamer said. "We couldn't do this without the community support."