Pamela is doing this on her own. There does not seem to be a system for you to get a receipt for your donation, so if that’s important to you, this project would not be a good match.
Here’s how she describes her goal:

Over 8 or so years ago I began gathering new and slightly used personal items from my friends and family, organizing them in small shopping bags and donating the bag of new items to a Women’s Shelter, where the bags in turn were distributed to the women as they start out on a new phase in life. For the first 5 or so years I gathered the items for holiday time, a few years ago I switched it to Mother’s Day and the project has proven successful. Over the years, the bags grew in size and in number. This year I am shooting to do 50 large shopping bag size bags for the Ladies. This is a huge jump from the 30 bags I did last year, however I really believe it can be done.

My hope is, as you find yourself doing Spring cleaning or reorganizing, you may find things in your home to contribute to this project. This donation bag program is a great outlet to purge and donate items we never used, nor no longer care for, to some great women, who can truly enjoy the treat!

The bag contains items to help the women with a fresh start: toiletries, candles, books, office/stationary products, personal items, etc., as well as small clothing items such as, socks, hats, scarves and T-shirts in years past. I have enclosed a rather extensive list of what has been included in years past (please see below). Please know if you have ANYTHING you think may help, even though it is not on the list, the odds are, it will help the project.

PLEASE REMEMBER:

• anything goes – the idea is that if the item is new or lightly used.. it will work
• full size, small size, hotel size, trial size – any size can be used

Send Your donations by March 30, 2008! If you missed the email with Pamela’s address, Contact Rosemary to get it sent to you.

Here is her rather exhaustive list of suggestions for the “PEACE of Mind” Ladies Bags:

ARMS / LEGS

• deodorant
• hair removal cream
• razor
• shaving gel

BATH / SHOWER

• bath / body powder
• bath / body powder puff
• bath gel
• bath oil – beads pack, bottle
• bath salts
• bath scrub
• bubble bath / bath soak
• hand sanitizer / hand sanitizer wipe
• loofah sponge / loofah pad
• scrub brush
• soap
• soap – facial
• soap – scented
• sponge

HAIR

• hair accessories – (pretty hair clip, barrette, headband, clip sets, barrette sets, pony tail bands, bobbie pins)
• hair brush
• hair comb
• hair dryer
• hair dryer diffuser
• hair dryer top – pointer
• hair gel / hair styling product
• hair mousse
• hair products – corrective/moisturizers
• hair roller set
• hair rollers – foam rollers
• hair rollers – hot rollers
• hair spray
• hair thickening spray
• hairstyle product
• conditioner
• shampoo
• shower cap

LOTION

• body crème – scented
• body lift crème
• foot crème
• foot lotion – blister balm
• hand crème
• hand lotion
• hand lotion – for purse
• lotion
• lotion – scented
• lotion – skin salve
• skin bronzer
• sunscreen

NAILS

• cuticle treatment
• emery board
• flip flops
• manicure kit
• nail brush
• nail buffing board
• nail file
• nail polish
• nail polish – toe divider
• nail polish remover
• pumice rock
• slippers

PERFUME/ COLOGNE / BODY SPRAY / SACHET

• body / skin hydrating mist
• body spray
• cologne
• cologne – perfumed body crème
• eau de toilette
• perfume
• sachet
• sachet – drawer liners / soaps / potpourri

TEETH

• dental floss
• mints
• mouthwash
• tongue cleaner
• toothbrush
• toothbrush – for Sonicare or Braun electronic
• toothpaste

TOWELS

• towel – bath
• towel – beach towel
• towel – finger towels
• towel – hand
• towel – wash cloth

MISC. BODY PRODUCTS

• bath tub pillow
• Breast Exam card / hanger
• First-aid Safety kit
• massage oil
• massage stick / roller
• pill box
• panti-liners
• napkins
• tampons

MAKE-UP BAG / MAKE-UP KITS / MAKE-UP REMOVER

• blush
• cotton balls – bag
• cotton wipes
• eye concealer
• eye lash curler
• eye liner
• eye make-up remover / cleanser
• eye mask
• eye moisturizer
• eye shadow / eye shadow set
• eyeliner / lip liner sharpener
• face cleanser
• face foundation
• face mask
• face moisturizer – crème / spray
• face powder
• face scrub
• face wash
• lip balm
• lip gloss
• lip liner
• lipstick
• lipstick case
• make-up bag
• make-up brushes – cheek, eye shadow, eyeliner, face, lip
• make-up case – w/mirror
• mascara
• mirror
• night crème
• Q-tips
• wrinkle serum

CANDLE

• candle – pillar
• candle – votive
• candle base
• candle holder
• candle in a jar
• pillar candle stand / holder
• potpourri – deep red
• votive holder

COFFEE / TEA / FOOD

• apple cider packet
• candy
• coffee
• coffee mug
• coffee mug
• coffee thermos
• emergen – C packets
• glass with lid
• granola bar
• gum
• hot chocolate mix in tin / box
• hot chocolate packet
• koozies
• oatmeal
• popcorn
• powerbar
• tea
• tea cup and saucer set
• Tea towel
• water bottle

CONTAINERS

• basket – small / med / large
• book bag
• gift bag / shopping bag – small / mediums / large / gargantuan
• gift box – small / medium / large – decorative, wood, cardboard, plastic, stationary/card boxes, tins
• lunch bag
• pencil bag
• purse – small / medium / large
• tote bag – small / medium / large – made of canvas, cotton, straw
• wallet
• vase – small / medium / large

CLOTHING – limited

• baseball hat
• boxer shots
• gloves / mittens
• hanger – blouse
• hanger – skirt
• nitegown / niteshirt
• pajamas
• polo shirt
• robe
• socks
• straw hat
• T-shirt

JEWELRY

• earrings
• necklace,
• bracelet
• jewelry bag
• jewelry box
• jewelry pouch
• jewelry cleaner

MUSIC / BOOK

• book
• bookmark
• CD player
• earphones
• earplugs – foam (set of 2)
• magazine
• music CD
• walkman

OFFICE / STATIONARY

• calendar
• cards
• gift tags
• index cards
• journal
• keychain
• letter opener
• magnet
• note cards
• notebook /composition book
• notepad
• notepad / phone messages
• notepad block
• paper clips
• pen – felt tip
• pen – highlighter
• pen – ink
• pencil
• photo album
• post – it
• rubber bands
• stationary
• stationary – notepad
• stationary set
• stickers

MISC.

• deck cards
• games
• iron-on decal
• linen spray
• lint brush
• luggage tag
• seat cushion
• sewing kit
• tool set – mini-flashlight, tire gauge, etc.
• waterproof ID case
• wine bottle opener