Sara Botkin seems to have embraced the holiday gift-giving spirit in a big way. The 30-year-old North Strabane soprano is offering to bring a bit of holiday cheer to the men and women serving in our nation's armed forces by sending them complimentary autographed copies of her latest CD titled "Breath of Heaven: A Christmas Collection."

"I'm offering the CD in honor of our troops and of my brother, Lester, a United States Marine C-130 navigator who served for four months in Iraq in 2004," said Ms. Botkin, who's professional singing resume includes performances with some of the nation's finest ensembles, including New York's Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and the State Theater at Lincoln Center.

Ms. Botkin's brother joined the Marines in the summer of 2001, when she thought he'd be safe from harm. Soon afterward, however, the U.S. military engaged in combat in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Fortunately, her brother was discharged from the Marines unharmed in 2006 and now lives in Peters.

To take advantage of her offer, those with friends and loved ones serving in the military need only provide the name and address (it must be a military address to qualify) of the recipient via her Web site www.sarabotkin.com.

This latest album follows two previous CDs and includes both familiar tunes such as "White Christmas" and the title track, "Breath of Heaven," written by pop singer Amy Grant, and more obscure melodies, such as "O Mary and the Baby," a spiritual she found in one of her choir director's music books.

An impressive lineup of musicians join Ms. Botkin on the recording. They include Gretchen Van Hoesen, principal harpist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Mark Huggins, the PSO's associate concertmaster; Andy Reamer, its associate principal percussionist; Stephen Hawk, jazz trumpeter and professor of music at Slippery Rock University; and bassist Tommy Bellin, of Wexford.

This week, "Breath of Heaven" will be the featured CD on WQED-FM. Throughout the week, listeners will be able to hear tracks from the CD and clips from a recent interview with the vocalist. The entire interview can also be accessed at wqed.org on the "audio on demand" link.

"Sara plays the piano, sings like an angel, arranges tastefully, and she's chosen some wonderful musicians to work with," said Jim Cunningham, host of WQED's "Morning Show."

"She weaves together the wedding favorite 'Canon 'by Johann Pachelbel, with 'The First Noel,' swings on 'Mary's Boy Chile' from Jester Hairston [who lived in Pittsburgh], and summons the angels in 'Hark! The Herald Angels' and 'Angels We have Heard on High.' "

At 9 a.m. on Christmas, Ms. Botkin also will appear on KDKA-TV's "Pittsburgh Today Live" singing two songs from her new Christmas compilation.

"Breath of Heaven: A Christmas Collection" is available at all local Borders Books and Music stores, at Curtain Call, The Pittsburgh Symphony Store at 545 Penn Ave. in Pittsburgh and at sarabotkin.com.