Soldier's Wish List Group Collecting Hygiene Items for Troops

Cookies from the Heart, a group founded and organized by O'Fallon resident Mary Powers is working to answer another request from soldiers stationed in Iraq.

The group, which is associated with A Soldier's Wish List (ASWL), has been baking, packaging and shipping cookies to servicemen and women oversees.

READ MORE: O'Fallon Woman's New Group Bakes Cookies for Soldiers

Powers saw a request from a soldier who had recently returned from Iraq asking for hygiene items for soldiers still stationed there.

"We still have 500 troops located in Iraq," Powers said in an email. "Three of their (post exchange) locations in Iraq are being shut down by our government due to budget cuts, and now they have no where to go for hygiene items."

Powers is collecting donations and her Cookies from the Heart group will be packing the items for shipping on March 25.

Another organization helping with care packages, Operation Shoebox, lists these items among those being requested by military overseas:

• Hand sanitizer
• Body wash
• Tissues
• Disposable razors
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Mouthwash
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Hairbrushes and combs
• Hand lotion
• Sunscreen

Powers is asking for donations to be dropped off at her home at 18 Barrington Drive before March 25.

"I have a plastic tub sitting on my front porch for donations," Powers said.

The group will also accept monetary donations to help with the shipping. Donations can be made through the ASWL website via PayPal. Please mention "Cookies from the Heart" in the comment section so that the donation can be routed correctly.