A nonprofit organization in Laurel, Montana, is seeking the names and addresses of local soldiers who are deployed overseas and could benefit from some care packages.

Historically, Laurel Home Town Troops has focused exclusively on serving soldiers from Montana.

“But this year we received a lot of support from a motorcycle club in Cody so we have made the decision to include troops from Wyoming as well,” said Ranae Marshall, the president of the nonprofit group.

While the group is looking to expand into Wyoming, “we cannot get [troop] addresses from the government or from the reserve centers so we have to rely on family and friends to provide them,” Marshall said.

Names and addresses can be sent to Marshall by texting or calling 406-689-4070 or by emailing ranaeron@aol.com.

Laurel Home Town Troops was founded on the heels of 9/11 by Cindy and Gene Burns and Cindy’s sister, Susie. They saw a need to let American military personnel serving on foreign soil know — through care packages and letters — that they were supported by the people at home. Nearly 20 years later, the need continues “to be so great,” the organization said.

It started as a means to provide Christmas boxes, but evolved to include year-round care packages that contain snacks, books, calendars, treats and other items, generally purchased from Montana businesses. They’re shipped to any troops with ties to Montana or Wyoming, with lots of extras to share with their units.

The nonprofit says it also provides Christmas presents to the homeless veterans living at Independence Hall in Billings and takes dinner and other surprises to them throughout the year.

To date, Laurel Home Town Troops says it’s reached approximately 17,000 soldiers, thanks to support from numerous groups in and around Laurel. Last year’s costs, according to the organization, included $11,000 worth of postage, $9,000 worth of items for care packages and $600 of storage costs.

“I know it sounds like we have tremendous amounts of support and we do,” Marshall said. “However, more and more of our young men and women are being sent overseas with no end in sight. As long as there are U.S. citizens on foreign soil to aid the citizens of other countries or to protect the USA, Laurel Home Town Troops will continue the work it has begun.”

Visit www.facebook.com/laurelhometown.troops for more information.

Powell has long had its own organization, Powell Troop Support, that similarly sends care packages to local troops that are deployed overseas. Over in Cody, Families on the Frontline has also worked for years to support local soldiers with care packages, among other efforts.