Harrisburg, Ill. ? Some soldiers get so tired of bugs and sand, they wear pantyhose under their uniforms. Others are so bored, they dig holes in the desert to watch fights between spiders.

Since the start of war in Iraq, Kathy Williams and Amy Oxford have made it their mission to send whatever help they can to soldiers in the desert.

The mother and daughter have sent several thousand care packages containing everything from the requested queen-size stockings to beef jerky to magazines and toys. The packages have gone to more than 500 U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them repeat customers.

“When that officer told us (in a thank-you e-mail) his men were digging holes to watch the spiders fight, I said, ‘Send those guys some yo-yos!'” said Williams, 48, pointing to some Old Glory-styled yo-yos bagged on a table nearby. “The guys love ’em.”

The bag sits among dozens of boxes of checkers games, crossword puzzles, lotion and prepaid phone cards. Although they are struggling with the high cost of postage, Williams and Oxford are determined to send Christmas parcels to as many soldiers as they can.

“I’m going to open presents on Christmas, and I think (soldiers in Iraq) should, too,” Williams said.

Most items were collected through the 20 or so drives the two have inspired at schools across southern Illinois.