Pat Curran, a Federal Way resident since 1989, doesn't send plain old cookies and socks to her son in Afghanistan.

Last month, Cpl. Jamie Curran, 21, of the Marine's 2/3 Echo Company stationed at Camp Blessing in eastern Afghanistan, sent his mom an email describing how the Afghani troops his company were training lacked backpacks.

Pat mobilized. She went to several Army & Navy stores to try to solicit donations, with no luck, and ended up buying 40 camouflaged semi-regulation packs at $29 each. When she told fellow members at the Federal Way Sunrise Rotary Club, they donated $250 towards the cause. Several members privately slipped her checks.

"I was thrilled that Jamie was so concerned about the people around him. He said his Afghani colleagues were such a great group of guys, he wished he could give them something," said Curran. "He is really focusing on being a good-will ambassador."

She sent the backpacks.

Then another email from Cpl. Curran arrived. This time he said it sure would be great if she could gather some school supplies so he could hand them out to the local kids.

Pat gets her hair done at Shear Magic Hair and Nail Design on S. 336th. Kristen Dobbs, the owner, always asked about Jamie. So during her last shampooing, Curran mentioned her son's request for school supplies. Dobbs agreed to hold a drive at the salon.

After one month, they had filled two huge baskets with pencils, paper and rulers, toys, games, even letters from local kids hoping for an Afghani pen pal.

She sent the school supplies.

"I'm waiting to hear about the last shipment, and haven't received any new requests," laughed Curran. "But I will do what I can until he comes home; he's scheduled to return in January."

As long as he doesn't ask for some Humvees.