Rowe, VFW collecting items to send to service members

A call for help, and Fairfield resident Jane Rowe jumped into action to coordinate a donation drive for military service members stationed in Afghanistan.

?My son, T.J. Rowe, is a retired Marine,? said Rowe. ?He has a friend who is stationed in Afghanistan, in an isolated area, who told him they have food and everything else they need, but they?re running out of the personal items, the toothpaste, laundry deodorant, soap, shampoo, deodorant ??

T.J. called his mom asking for her help, and she contacted the local VFW.

The VFW will be a drop off point for items anyone would like to donate to be sent to the service members in Afghanistan, Rowe said. Items can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday through July 1.

?Some people are donating things on the list; others are giving money to buy things or pay for postage ? there?s no free postage even to send packages to military members,? said Rowe, adding that monetary donations can be left at the VFW also.

The No. 1 toiletry item requested by the field troops is baby wipes, said Rowe.

The list also includes: foot powder or something that will dry boots, boot inserts, body powder, disposable razors, shave cream, electric shavers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, mouth wash, eye wash, small-size waterless hand cleanser, hair clippers, deodorant, laundry detergent, soap, body wash, cotton swabs, nail clippers, sun screen and lip balm.

Service women also are requesting shampoo, conditioner, lotions, rubber bands for hair, hair gel for all types of ethnicity, face wash, manicure kits, deodorant, sun block, personal hygiene products and wash cloths.

?We also can put letters in the boxes,? said Rowe. ?You would think someone serving in Afghanistan would get lots of mail, but some of them never get any. So if someone wants to write about Fairfield or send a nice little note, we can send those, too.?

?I would appreciate any help I can get for these brave men and women,? she said.