At www.freedomsfamilies. com, chat rooms, message boards, advice and children's activities for families of soldiers deployed overseas can be found.

The Web site's creators want a place for families who have someone fighting in the war in Iraq or serving elsewhere abroad to go to for support. They know what those families are going through, they've been there before and soon their son will be deployed to the Middle East again.

Dan and Jo Ann Wentzel, of Austin, created the Web site Feb. 24 at first as a way to show patriotism, but it quickly became a way to reach out to soldiers and their families.

"It's a labor of love for both of us," Dan Wentzel said.

Since its launch, the site has seen more than 10,000 hits, with three-fourths of the activity coming in the last week.

Now the Wentzels are looking to send Hugs from Home packages, care packages full of basic supplies, to whoever requests one. They are asking for donations of basic supplies and to pay for postage. They've already cleared out their basement to assemble them.

A list of needed items is on their Web site. The sealing or packaging of items cannot be broken and everything must be able to fit in a shoe box -- regulation size for a package sent to soldiers. People can also donate shoe boxes for the cause. To have a package sent, all the Wentzels need is the soldier's name and address.

They are also asking for letters to send to soldiers who do not have families or receive mail.

Their son, Dan Wentzel Jr., is an Army staff sergeant in the 59th military police detachment, based at Fort Carson, Colo. Two days before Sept. 11, 2001, he was sent to Saudi Arabia. He was only supposed to be there a short time, but stayed for seven months.

From him the Wentzels learned about the conditions in the desert. Once the wind picks up, sand is everywhere. Simple items like lip balm and a clean pair of black tube socks are hard to come by. A wind storm makes the sky disappear. Pictures with green scenery from home become a comfort.

"He'd say, 'I forget what grass looks like,'" Jo Ann Wentzel said of her son.

But despite all of that, their son wants to return to the desert to fight for his country, they said. He's expected to be deployed by the end of the week.

"He's champing at the bit to go back," Dan Wentzel said.

Dan Wentzel Jr. always seemed to have an interest in the military, they said. He joined eight years ago and his father thinks he'll stay in for 20.

"He was wearing camouflage clothes from the time he could walk," Dan Wentzel said. "They used to call him G.I. Joe at school."

Dan Wentzel Jr. will be leaving behind his wife, Shannon, and his 6-year-old son Anthony in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"Shannon's idea is to keep busy," Jo Ann Wentzel said, adding that Shannon also will be helping with the Web site.

The Web site is a good way for the Wentzels to keep busy as well, they have found.

Because of the war, two-parents families have become one-parent families, they said, and in some cases both parents have been deployed. The Web site offers advice for these families, coming from the Wentzel's experience in working with at-risk families for more than 30 years.

The Web site is not for voicing political views about the war, just a place to show support for troops and find comfort in talking with other families.

"We just want you to come there for support and love," Jo Ann Wentzel said.

For more information about how to donate or volunteer to put together Hugs from Home packages, visit the Web site at www.freedomsfamilies.com.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com