Bethel Fellowship Church in Chaska is collecting items for care packages that will be sent to soldiers in Iraq this holiday season.

Bethel Fellowship Church attendee David Mertz and his company will be the recipients of the care packages. Mertz’s 555th Engineers, 571st Sapper Company is doing road clearance and patrol in Balad, Iraq. They are due home in the latter part of 2009.

Church members are looking for donations for the care packages. Requested items include baby wipes, mini candy bars, holiday chocolates, meat/cracker assortments, beef jerky, microwave popcorn, tweezers, Starburst, individually packaged cookies, i-Tunes gift cards, lotion and other skin care products for women.

Donations can be dropped off at the church office on Wednesday or Friday mornings at 105 Peavy Road (rear of the building). Packages will be sent out in mid-November.

To donate time or money, contact the Bethel Fellowship Church at (952) 442-2112.