WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- "We're getting ready now to get adopted. The Aviation Brigade, the Sustainment Brigade and the 3rd Brigade," local AUSA Project Manager Mike Plummer said. "Somewhere in the magnitude of 8,000 soldiers."

The local chapter of the Association of the United States Army is hoping all of those soldiers will be adopted. Plummer is trying to sign up as many businesses and organizations as possible to make that happen through the Adopt-a-Platoon program. Each platoon usually consists of about 20 to 30 soldiers.

"In their sponsoring, probably on a monthly basis, they'll send them care packages. Anything from old magazines and puzzles to beef jerky," Plummer said. "It depends on where the soldier is stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan."

One agency, the state Department of Transportation, has been adopting a different platoon for several years. It typically meets with the soldiers before they leave to find out what they could best use. The agency usually sends care packages with cards and letters,and tries to hit every birthday. It's something it says it recommends to everyone and the soldiers try their best to return the favor.

"It's pretty cool," DOT Public Information Officer Mike Flick said. "We've had folks come back who are home on leave. They'll wander in the office and they'll bring a gift. They'll bring pictures. We get emails and cards. One of the units we adopted brought back a flag that had flown over Camp Liberty."

About 200 of the 300 platoons getting ready to leave have already been adopted. But that still leaves 100 without. The AUSA is hoping enough people will step up and help out to make sure everyone is taken care of.

If you'd like to find out more about adopting a platoon, you're asked to email Mike Plummer at adoptthemountain@aol.com.