By Lauren McSherry

Sakura Dao Pham, a solider with the 2nd Medical Brigade serving in Baghdad, is organizing a volunteer effort to assemble care packages for American soldiers injured in the line of duty.

Pham, who grew up in Sunnyvale, worked at Starbucks on Main Street and went to Foothill College before being sent to Iraq. She is 20 years old.

Pham found injured soldiers in the 31st Combat Support Hospital felt “lonely, homesick and sad” and started visiting them to boost their morale.

She collected balloons, cookies and candy from fellow soldiers and assembled care packages, which she distributed to soldiers in the hospital.

When her “goody supply” ran low, she contacted friends and family in the Los Altos area, asking them to send items for care packages.

Word spread about her efforts, and local businesses agreed to take part in her project.

The Los Altos Safeway donated 13 grocery carts of leftover Easter candy, and the Safeway on Miramonte Avenue, Mountain View, donated 11 cases of Easter candy.

The Los Altos Walgreens donated 20 cases of goodies worth $2,800.

Axis Personal Training on San Antonio Road and Bay Partners also are collecting donations.

Los Altos Hills resident Mary Vendetti, whose son, Mario, is Pham’s boyfriend, is storing the donations in her home and arranging for shipping.

Pham spends 12 hours a day working at her post with the 2nd Medical Brigade.

Since the 31st Combat Support Hospital is short-staffed, she volunteers there four hours each day on top of her work shift.

Her volunteer work involves assembling the care packages, visiting wounded soldiers and treating patients in the emergency room.

She spends her days off assisting in the ER.

“She’s 20 years old and tiny,” Vendetti said. “It’s just amazing she’s over there.”

Pham joined the Army because it offered an opportunity for her to receive an education and support herself through college. She was also interested in the Army’s medical training and careers.

Born and raised in Bien Ho, Vietnam, Pham came to the United States two months before her 12th birthday. She is not a United States citizen.

Pham’s interest in medicine continues. She would like to attend Stanford University’s Physician Assistants Program when she returns to the United States.

For more information on how to help, logon to www.xanga.com/SakuraDaoPham.