ORANGE, Calif. — Between cramming for finals, preparing for the prom and graduating, Shauna Fleming managed to crisscross the country, visit the Pentagon, throw out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game and shoot a national TV advertising campaign.

Not a bad way to finish high school.

Three years ago, the Orange County student started "A Million Thanks" letter-writing campaign for U.S. troops fighting overseas. She tripled her expectations and is now starting a nonprofit organization that gives a bit more — granting wishes to wounded soldiers.

"It's been an amazing but very humbling experience," the 18-year-old said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world because it's so valuable. It makes you appreciate things so much more."

In the age of e-mail, cell phones and text messaging, where communicating is a click away, Fleming reached out the old-fashioned way — by mail. The bright-eyed blonde wanted to express her gratitude to soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The idea was inspired by her father, Michael, who started sending Valentines to enlisted men and women after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The younger Fleming's goal was to collect 1 million letters, but once word got out, her private Christian school was flooded with responses that haven't stopped.

Within six months, she reached her goal and flew to Washington to present the millionth letter to President Bush, who gave her a personal tour of the White House.

Fleming was challenged by former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Richard B. Myers to gather 2.6 million letters — the number of men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces.

She surpassed that mark and now predicts she'll reach the 4 million mark this summer after teaming up with General Motors, which placed letter boxes in 3,700 dealerships nationwide. Fleming also appeared in a national TV advertising campaign for GM promoting the effort.

The program has been warmly received wherever Fleming goes. In May, she attended a Chicago White Sox game and urged the crowd to write letters. The fans responded with more than 44,000.

Fleming compiled a book, titled after the program, of correspondence to and from troops. Any money donated or raised has been used to pay postage, she said.

The letters, shipped to various military bases, come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Some have drawings scrawled in crayon, others have pictures attached, such as one with two dogs carrying the U.S. flag in their mouths. The cards come from teachers, parents and, of course, children. Despite their differences, the letters all have the same, unwavering message: You have our support and appreciation.

Everett Headley, who served as a chaplain's assistant during two tours in Iraq with the Marines, was one of the first people to receive the letters and pass them along to troops.

"Relatives will tell you they support you, so will some politicians," Headley said. "But for John Doe to take the time to write something to you and send it to Iraq, has a simple and unique touch."

It's not known how many soldiers have received the letters — which do not bear specific names — but a smattering of e-mails to Fleming offers a glimpse of the difference they make.

"People like you are making a difficult task much more enjoyable through your kindness," wrote Marine Sgt. Aaron Jensvold. "It means a great deal to me and my Marines."

One soldier who thanked her was killed in action just days after they exchanged e-mails and instant messages. Sgt. David Ruhren, of Stafford, Va., was among 22 soldiers killed in December 2004 by an apparent suicide bomber in a military mess hall in the northern city of Mosul.

"I couldn't believe it," she said. "It was really, really sad."

Fleming's unabashed patriotism has continued even as sentiment has built against the war.

"I haven't had too much time to figure out what's right and what's wrong," she said. "The program isn't about supporting the war. It's about supporting the troops."

Fleming's mission has struck a chord with celebrities, athletes, politicians and government officials. She has met actors Gary Sinise and Kevin Costner and has visited the Pentagon on several occasions.

"Shauna is one of the most inspiring people I've met," said Allison Barber, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications. "She has passion, had a plan and executed it."

Fleming will attend college at Chapman University in Orange County in the fall but she said her devotion to soldiers won't end. She was inspired to start "Wounded Soldiers Wish" after visiting troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, which has been criticized for squalid conditions and shoddy treatment of veterans.

She was moved by seeing the number of wounded soldiers and their injuries, including a woman who lost both legs.

"I thought if she's a mother, she may never get to run with her kids again," Fleming said.

Fleming envisions sharing wounded soldiers' stories on a Web site and collecting donations to pay for anything from a prosthetic limb to sending a veteran on vacation.

Fleming doesn't know what the response will be, but she's grateful to the people who helped make "A Million Thanks" a success.

"The biggest thing has been learning what one person can do, with the help of millions," Fleming said. "I'm glad the letters have been a morale booster and give soldiers a little extra strength when they need it."