Girl Scout Troop 589 members Caroline Reich and Julia Rowe are collecting care packages for soldiers in Iraq as part of their Silver Project.
Donors can drop off boxes of items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 25 at Paradise Canyon Elementary School, 471 Knight Way, La Cañada.
Reich and Rowe have set a goal of gathering 100 boxes from the community. They are asking donors to get a free "priority mail" box at the post office or use a paper grocery bag.
Boxes can be filled with items requested by soldiers, including DVDs, CDs, computer flash drives, prepaid calling cards, disposable cameras, hand-held games, lip balm, towelettes, Beanie Babies, Yo-Yos, pens, note cards, paper, pre-stamped envelopes, athlete's foot medication, hand sanitizer, AA and AAA batteries, dental floss, hand lotion, flashlights, warm socks, eye drops, bandanas, nail files/clippers, sewing kits, shoe polish kits, sugar-free hard candy, eyeglass repair/cleaner kits, high SPF sunscreen, pain reliever compresses, Fabreeze odor eliminator, books, magazines, crossword puzzles, Rubik's cube, sidewalk chalk, gum, Frisbees, Nerf balls, harmonicas, Kazoos, playing cards, chips and dice, shampoo and conditioner, soap, wash cloths, mirrors, deodorant and insect repellent. Food items desired include protein bars, Pop Tarts, sunflower seeds, tuna, crackers, cookies, candy, popcorn, pretzels, trail mix, banana chips, nuts, breath mints, peanut butter and jelly, spices, mayonnaise, mustard, relish, ketchup, hot sauce, Cup O' Noodles, Top Ramen, dry cereal, instant oatmeal, powdered Kool-Aid, powdered Gatorade, instant coffee, ground coffee, cream and sugar packets, small cans of fruit, boxes of tea bags, hot chocolate packets and hot apple cider packets.
A personal letter to a soldier also can be included.
