OCEANSIDE —— The Oceanside Jaycees have come up with a unique way to support local troops overseas: Operation Desert Stogie.

The organization has embarked on a campaign to raise funds to send cigars to local military units serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The Jaycees felt this was something we could do from home to support our troops," said DeeDee Engels, president of the Oceanside Jaycees, a civic organization that encourages young adults to become involved in making a positive difference in their community.

The idea for Operation Stogie came about a few months ago when Engels and her husband, Gregg, who own Cigar Grotto in Oceanside, noticed a trend among their customers: many were wives of local Marines who stopped in the store to buy cigars to include in care packages for their husbands.

Since local Marines have always supported the store, the Engels decided to add an extra cigar or two with each care package order and put up a sign encouraging their customers to do the same. Soon, customers began buying extra cigars to be sent to the troops, as well.

Engels said she mentioned the idea to her fellow Jaycees and discovered that they were interested in taking it a step further.

"The Oceanside Jaycees are all about our community," Engels said.

"One of the most upstanding parts of our community is our military. It's tradition for the Jaycees to support our armed forces, and we will continue to do so in any way we can."

The Jaycees purchased $250 worth of cigars to send to a unit in Iraq. Gregg Engels matched the Jaycees' donation, and $500 worth of cigars was soon headed overseas to the troops.

The cigars were so well received that the Jaycees embarked on Operation Desert Stogie. The Jaycees are challenging area civic organizations to match their $250 donation to send cigars to local troops stationed overseas. Along with donations, organizations are encouraged to enclose positive letters along with the cigars.

Organizations, as well as businesses and individuals, are welcome to drop by the store at 220 N. Coast Highway in Oceanside to drop off their donations and to personally select the cigars. The Cigar Grotto will cover all shipping and handling costs.

For more information, contact DeeDee Engels at (760) 439-9316, or e-mail OsideJayceesDD@aol.com.