AAA Washington and KOMO Newsradio are kicking off the second annual “Soap for Hope” donation drive to collect toiletry items for local shelters, food banks and other charitable organizations. Donations may be dropped off at the AAA Redmond office located at 7950 164th Ave. NE, starting Oct. 1.

Donations made at this office will benefit the YWCA Redmond Family Village.

The Soap for Hope campaign encourages travelers that have a collection of unused sample-sized shampoos, conditioners, lotions and soaps to bring them to their local AAA office for distribution to those in need of such items. Full-size versions of the same products are also welcome. Last year AAA collected more than 30,000 items in Washington and northern Idaho in just six weeks.

“Our community really got behind the program last year and we collected nearly 1000 items at our office alone for the YWCA Redmond Family Village,” said Karen Freundlich, manager of the AAA Redmond office. “They really appreciated the type of donations we collected for them, items that are in high demand but they don’t usually receive.”

Toiletry items, such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, razors, toothpaste, and deodorant will be accepted at all AAA locations, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Travel- and full-size items will be accepted.

For more information or for a complete list of AAA locations and charities, visit AAA.com and click on Soap for Hope.