BLOOMINGTON - Every month, the University of Illinois Extension office of McLean County helps gather boxes to send off to the troops overseas.

This month, residents of Hilltop Mobile Homes helped by collecting items for the Bloomington-based 33rd Military Police, currently stationed in Baghdad.

On Monday, Hilltop resident Shirley Folz and office manager Ila Kumler dropped off two large boxes to Leatha Poshard, secretary of the Extension Office. The boxes included everything from mints and gum to lotions and shampoo.

"We put a flag and letter in every box sent," said Poshard. "To go with the boxes from Hilltop, we will be including almost 100 letters from students at Chiddix Junior High School."

Folz said toothpaste and hand lotion seemed to be the most popular items received from the residents of the 554 mobile homes. Residents also provided gum, candy and Visine. "I just asked the office if we could do something like this and they were all for it," Folz said.

Kumler said the appeal went out through fliers and Hilltop's monthly newspaper.

"It was really cool. I've worked here for 14 years and this is the first time something like this has been done," said Kumler. "It worked out great. I think if we did it again, we'd get even more."

"We'll sort everything out, and then make sure everyone gets what they need," said Poshard. "It's a pretty big endeavor."

Each box costs about $8 to ship. The money comes from a special fund within the McLean County Association for Home and Community Education, which is based at the Extension office on Hershey Road.

The McLean Woman's Club also helps, Poshard said.

The HCE organization recently won an international award for its efforts for the troops, which has been going on for the past 4½ years.

Extension's Marjorie Martin said the group has sent more than 51 boxes since January, providing soldiers with trail mix, pudding, fruit, chewing gum, hand sanitizer, hard candy, peanut butter and more.

Poshard said 30,000 items have already been sent through the ongoing work. Troops sometimes make special requests, such as air fresheners for their pillows or trail mix from Sam's Club.

"You can really tell everyone appreciates this," said Poshard.

"We've gotten lots of letters from the troops thanking us for the boxes," Martin added.

The program started after HCE members attended an Extension meeting after the war started and learned about a great need for feminine hygiene products. The program grew from there.

"It's just a good thing to do, and we want to keep it going," said Martin. "It's a lot of work, packing up the boxes with the items, but definitely well worth it."