The holiday season is upon us and while many Americans will be enjoying the company of friends and family, more than 160,000 service men and women serving overseas will not. Instead of sharing in the laughter and smiles the holidays bring -- especially for the children in their lives -- they will be defending us at lonely outposts around the world.

Help the USO put a smile on their faces by giving them the very special gift of reaching out to their loved ones for the holidays. Make a donation to either the USO's Operation Phone Home or United Through Reading programs and help brighten the day of a lonely service member. Giving these men and women the opportunity to speak to and interact with their loved ones over the holidays will provide an immeasurable boost to their morale.

Operation Phone Home - Prepaid, international phone cards are distributed free of charge to service members, especially those in Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations.

United Through Reading - At participating USO centers, service men and women can stay connected with the children in their lives by videotaping themselves reading a children's book. The USO sends the DVD and a copy of the book to the children back home. The parent or caregiver is encouraged to photograph or videotape the child's excitement while watching the DVD and following along with the book, and sends photos or DVD back to the deployed service member.