Send Your Heart To The Troops with

PURCHASE, NY (January 09, 2006) - 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 Valentine's 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 e-mails 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 sergeant and Manhattanville College student 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 festive items such as Candy Conversation Hearts or Hershey Kisses, and a "friendly" gift such as warm socks or a stuffed animal. The My Soldier team has assembled a Hot List with suggested items for a Valentine Care Package that stresses the importance of handmade cards.

"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."

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."

Those wishing to participate are asked to contact Manhattanville My Soldier Project Coordinator, Mike Seminara, before January 23rd by phone at 914-323-5439 or e-mail seminaram@mville.edu to select a soldier or platoon for whom to provide Valentine cards and gifts.

Program co-founder, and President of Manhattanville College, Richard Berman reflecting on the importance of adopt a soldier programs like My Soldier said "Americans coping with the demands of everyday life often forget the sacrifice of our soldiers. As we pay the rent and go shopping and raise our children, we take for granted our relative security and prosperity compared to the rest of the world. Sometimes soldiers just need a human touch, an ability to know that someone out there really does care and appreciate what they do, regardless of the political controversy engendered by their assignment. They all deserve the continuing confirmation of the value of their service."

For more information, please visit www.mysoldier.com  and click on the "I Heart My Soldier" link.