Troops serving in Iraq will soon get a fresh supply of toiletries, courtesy of students at Sunset Valley Elementary.

Students in the Safe Guard after-school program have spent the last few weeks collecting soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and other grooming essentials and packing them in boxes to ship to American forces in Iraq. They have collected nearly 200 items and hope to increase that number before mailing the packages on April 25.

The first- through fourth-graders involved brought in some items themselves, but they also took donations from the community.

"You could go to a Wal-Mart and get it," said Ashley Caputo.

The effort to send toiletries to troops overseas isn't the first time the children have communicated with American forces, said Safe Guard instructor Diane Spirer. Under her guidance, the children have written letters to the troops.

Spirer said the idea to send supplies came from a parent of a child in the program, who had served in Iraq. He helped coordinate logistics on the overseas end, contacting military officials at Balad Air Force base near Baghdad, who will receive the shipments and distribute them to troops.

The nearly month-long effort culminates the week of April 25, when the children will assemble the final boxes and get them ready for Spirer's husband to take to the post office. Spirer timed the collection to coincide with the national Week of the Young Child, which this year has the theme of community involvement.

Spirer said the children involved have put in a lot of effort and are excited about their work.

"They really, really get into this," she said. "They're excited about it."

The children said they like the project because it gives them a way to help.

"I think it's nice because we're helping the soldiers and we're donating to them," said Michael Eckels.

"I think it's kind for the soldiers to donate," said Aaron Tucker.

Working on the project also has given them a lesson in the power of working as a team. "It just shows that everybody can do something to change the community and to show that we collect things and work together," said Hunter.

"By helping others, maybe it will lead to them helping others too," said Alexis Birkland.

Although the war in Iraq rages on nearly 3,000 miles from the cheery halls of Sunset Valley, some of the children said they had a personal connection to the conflict. Both Zachary DiPerna and Ashley said they knew people who had served in Iraq.

Spirer said the Norwin community's help had proved invaluable in the project. "It really surprises me every year how well people embrace these things," she said.

Community members donated toiletries as well as money to pay for the shipping costs. Parents of children in the program brought in items, as did people who had no connection to Safe Guard. The post office supplied boxes and packing supplies.

But Spirer saved her greatest praise for the children. She said their enthusiasm and energy for the work was remarkable, and their commitment to helping others was outstanding.

"I'm very proud of each and every one of them," she said.