My wife volunteers with a local group called "Socks For Soldiers". The group holds fundraisers then assembles care packages for the service men in Iraq and Afganistan and ships the boxes overseas. Last year they sent >1200, timed to arrive around Christmas. The boxes contain items they have learned that the guys need... good quality warm socks, laundry detergent, pre-paid calling cards, candy etc...
The picture below was part of a "thankyou" from guys that received their Sock's boxes ~Christmas 2005. The knit beanies they are wearing were in their packages. (Looks like they were one short)
TunaHead
(First time posting a pic here. I'm gonna cross my fingers and hit "post")