If you are looking for a way to support the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else overseas, one of the most popular items among service members is a phone card they can use to call home.

There are a number of ways to do it. The USO has ”Operation Phone Home.” It provides prepaid international calling cards.

The program designates 100 percent of monetary donations to the purchase and distribution of 100-minute global calling cards to deployed service members.

A $10 donation will provide one phone card, including shipping.

The program’s Web site is www.uso.org/pubs/8_20_2733. cfm.

The USO, or United Service Organizations, is a nonprofit, congressionally chartered organization. It’s been a bridge between Americans and the military since before World War II.

The Department of Defense also runs similar programs through the Armed Services Exchanges.

The ”Help Our Troops Call Home” program is designed to serve members of the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the program’s Web site.

People who would like to donate a prepaid calling card can log on to one of the following Web sites: the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, www.aafes.com; the Navy Exchange Service Command at www.navy-nex.com; and the Marines Corps Exchange, www.usmc-mccs.org.

Calling cards can be purchased for a specific individual. Cards can also be purchased for ”any service member.” Those are distributed through the American Red Cross, the Air Force Aid Society and the Fisher House Foundation.

Armed Services Exchanges run call centers anywhere troops are deployed.

”The ‘Help Our Troops Call Home’ program offers the best value for calls made from the call centers, never expire, and there are no added charges or connection fees,” according to the program’s Web site.