WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined forces with Montana Supporting Soldiers (MSS) in a collection drive to provide care packages for American soldiers serving overseas. Rehberg’s state Congressional District Offices in Billings, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula will serve as donation centers for the “Christmas for our Troops” project.  Montanans can drop off products any time before December 1.

“When I visit our men and women in combat zones, they tell me how much they are lifted by these expressions of support from home,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The “Christmas for our Troops” project is only one example of the important work being done by Montana Supporting Soldiers.  I’m honored to be a part of their effort, and welcome Montanans to continue to show why we’re the most generous people in the world.”

The “Christmas for our Troops” project is spear-headed by Montana Supporting Soldiers, a group that was founded in 2003 to send packages and mail to American military men and women serving overseas. Based in Helena, the group has about 600 “adopted” soldiers and approximately 60 members in 13 states across America.

“Our Christmas collection drive is one of the most important events of the year for Montana Supporting Soldiers,” said Liann Meyer, MSS President and Founder. “The cards, letters, and gifts really connect our service men and women with the American people, and show that we care about them and their mission, and that our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Rehberg has introduced legislation to provide free postage to families and friends of American soldiers serving in combat zones. The Correspondence with Our Heroes Act creates a program to provide postal benefits in the form of coupons or vouchers to soldiers’ families and friends.  Currently, members of the armed forces on duty in combat zones can send correspondence to addresses in the United States free of postal charges. There has yet to be a comparable provision for postage-free letters and packages sent from family members to their loved ones serving abroad.

A detailed list of preferred items and more information can be found at Montana Supporting Soldiers’ web site at http://www.mtsupportingsoldiers.com/.