SAN LEANDRO, Calif. -- Like other mothers with sons and daughters serving overseas in the U.S. military, Donna Whitehouse is very aware of the controversy being stirred up by the potential war with Iraq.

But she hopes the massive protests won't overshadow the needs of the young troops -- like her son -- who are a long way from home.

Whitehouse has joined an unique support group called 'Operation: MOM.' The group was created by two East Bay women with a goal of insuring that no American soldier ever feels forgotten while serving in the Persian Gulf.

About 40 'Operation: MOM' volunteers -- many with children in the military -- gathered Sunday to put together care packages at San Leandro's Bethel Presbyterian Church.

"He doesn't need to get this," said Whitehouse of her son. "He has a lot of support from his family. But, you know, there are a lot of boys over there that don't have family. And so I just wanted to help those kids who don't have a mom and a dad and aunts and uncles and cousins who are going to be writing to them and sending them things."

Nearby, Sylvia Popkin was also packing boxes.

"I worry that they don't think that they're getting support when they see the protesters," Popkin said. "That's what concerns me, that it might get their morale down."

The packages are made up of the kinds of things people at home have been sending overseas for decades -- cookies and candy, other foodstuffs and sundries.

The idea for 'Operation: MOM' goes back to the Blue Star Mothers of World War II, who sent packages to Marines stationed overseas. But 'Operation Mom' is slightly different. Anyone can volunteer and they are sending packages to servicemen and women in all five branches of the military.

'Operation: MOM' co-founder Gloria Godchaux says she thinks that working together helps families and friends here at home too.

"It helps with the worry," she said. "It helps to know that there are other people like us -- other parents, friends, community members -- all participating, supporting us and our kids."

The volunteers plan to ship 100 packages a week. They say that's all the Navy, which is handling transport, can deal with right now.

If you'd like to join 'Operation: MOM,' you can get more information from the group's website www.operationmom.org or call 925-706-1736.