To another were bins and crates overflowing with donated items -- deodorant, magazines, toothpaste, books and batteries.

And all around him were a dozen volunteers, dutifully pledging their time filling up boxes to be mailed off to U.S. troops overseas.

With this brief pit stop on the Indians' Winter Caravan on Wednesday afternoon, Michaels suddenly had a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the USO -- an organization that, to this point, he knew by name only.

"I'm surrounded by saints," a truly impressed Michaels said.

Michaels, first baseman Ryan Garko, second baseman Josh Barfield and hitting coach Derek Shelton paid this visit to the Northern Ohio chapter of the USO to donate 1,000 game-worn hats to local troops serving in the military and to help bundle up some care packages.

But judging by the words out of their mouths and the looks on their faces, this was an experience that was as rewarding for the players as it was for the troops.

For within the walls of this unassuming building in north Canton, the members of the Tribe discovered a group committed to offering little bundles of hope to those who have dedicated their lives to serving their country.

Since 1940, the USO, a non-profit organization with no official ties to the military, has been gathering up even the most seemingly mundane items to send to troops overseas or their needy families stateside.

The USO of Northern Ohio is the second-largest care package facility in the country, and it sends roughly 1,000 boxes each month to troops in Iraq.

"These people are doing great things that get overlooked," said Garko, while picking through a stack of books to find just the right one to put in his care package. "It's great the USO helps the families. They need the help, because they made a sacrifice they never get thanked for."

That's precisely the idea Deborah Fisher, the executive director of the USO of Northern Ohio, has been trying to spread.

"We need to get the word out," she said, as the players posed for pictures with local members of the Akron Naval Reserve and the Ohio National Guard. "This is probably a little humbling for [the players]."

Humbling, yes. But also enlightening. And when the time came for the players to do their part by grabbing an empty box and get to packing, they jumped at the chance.

Barfield, who had a grandfather and an uncle who served in the Army, seemed particularly pleased to help out. He filled up one box, stopped to pose for pictures and sign autographs for the volunteers, then immediately asked if he could pack another.

When a volunteer informed Barfield what an extraordinary job he did putting his box together -- neither over- nor under-filling it -- he didn't seem surprised.

"Hey, I pack every three days during the season," he said with a smile.

Fisher took the players on a tour of the facility, explaining to them the ins and outs of what the USO does and the goodwill it spreads to troops. Aside from basic toiletries or reading materials, the organization also packs up and sends out letters of encouragement from American children, food and warm clothing.

Amazingly, she said, troops in Iraq who write to the USO rarely request items for themselves. They often ask for balls, gloves or other sporting goods that can be used to teach games to the Iraqi children.

"It touches your heart," Fisher said. "They always think about people other than themselves. It's truly amazing."

Michaels, for one, seemed amazed at the work being done by the USO.

"I had heard of the USO, but I didn't know what it was about," he said. "What they do here is awesome."

For more information on the USO of Northern Ohio, visit the organization's web site at: http://www.usocleveland.org or e-mail usocleveland@aol.com.

Donated items may be sent to: USO of Northern Ohio, 4932 Shuffel Drive NW, North Canton, Ohio, 44720. Do not assemble your own care packages. USO volunteers must sort through the items themselves. Suggested items include letters, beef jerky, gum, DVDs, paperback books, candy, fly tape, bug spray, toiletries, pictures and socks. Do not send glass, and only send chocolate during cold-weather months (October-March).

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.