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Kevin Valdez, a Marine stationed in Iraq as recently as a few months ago, said a highlight of his tour was receiving a care package and finding a Transformer toy inside.

He always looked forward to the days when he'd receive a care package, Valdez said.

"It boosts your morale a whole bunch," he said. "You're happy to get something."

On Monday afternoon, Valdez was helping his mother, Pauline Valdez, put holiday packages together for Blue Star Mothers of America, a nonprofit organization that offers support to troops and their mothers.

Candy left over from Halloween, toiletries, canned food, towels, jerky, clothes, underwear, videos and other items were piled on shelves and tables at the Rio Grande chapter of Blue Mothers of America's warehouse, 2919 Second St. N.W.

Pauline Valdez, the chapter's package chairwoman, said the organization is preparing packages for about 300 troops. Each recipient will get two packages, one with toiletries and one with food.

"We learned that when we send them toiletries with food, they complained their food tasted like soap," she said.

Valdez's purse has pins with pictures of her two sons, both of whom are Marines. She said delivering care packages is close to her heart because of her family.

Rosanne Bianco, spokeswoman for the Rio Rancho chapter of Blue Star Mothers, said it's important to send troops packages.

"We're letting them know we support them, to send a part of home to them," she said.

The Rio Rancho group also will prepare packages this weekend.

Pauline Valdez and Bianco said the jars of salsa, green chile and condiments from Pizza Hut or Taco Bell are meant to remind the troops that they're not forgotten.

"It gives the people back home the feeling that we're doing something, to be a part of their experience there and say, `Hey, I'm thinking about you, and I'm sending you this green chile,' " Bianco said.

Some troops request things that might sound a little odd.

"They use panty liners as sweat bands to put in their helmet," she said.

She said they also ask for bath poofs for the shower, fly paper and silly string, which is sprayed to identify trip wires.

Bianco said Blue Star Mothers has been delivering care packages to troops since it was formed in 1942.

She said it's important to remember troops not only at the holidays, but all year long.

Pauline Valdez's other son, Kraig Valdez, is among the troops who will receive a package this year.

"They're our kids out there," she said. "We want to make sure they know we're thinking of them back home."

Valdez will be sending him homemade biscochitos and beef jerky - his favorites.