A Palmerton businesswoman is collecting donations for the American Cancer Society.

Laura Gardner, owner of Hair-Riffic Salon, located at 661 Delaware Avenue, said she will collect donations and then deliver them to the Hope Lodge in Hershey.Hope Lodge is a home away from home that offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay while receiving treatments, said Gardner, who added donations may be dropped off at her business, or at 403 Union St, Lehighton. Otherwise, contact Gardner, and she will make arrangements to pick them up."Our goal is to make the delivery before Christmas," Gardner said. "Please help us help the American Cancer Society continue providing the free services to cancer patients."Gardner said a list of most frequently needed items include: bleach; laundry dryer sheets; trash bags (all sizes); Lysol spray or similar; dishwasher detergent; waterless hand sanitizer; glass cleaner; paper towels; tissues and purse size; and High Efficiency laundry detergent.Specific needs, she said, are: GPS for Hope Lodge vans (2); white bath, hand and wash towels; energy saver light bulbs (any wattage); medium size storage bins; bed pillows; new to almost new boards games; toothpaste and deodorant (small tubes only); individually wrapped snacks, instant soups; individually wrapped hard candy (mint/lemon); step stools for Hope Lodge van (2); full size sheet sets/white/deep pocket; color printer/ink; bathroom size wastebaskets; and Digital Oral Thermometers.Ongoing needs, Gardner said, include: paper towels; zip-lock baggies; batteries (all sizes); toilet paper; paper plates and cups; kitchen cleanser; paper napkins; toilet bowl cleaner; cling wrap and foil; and dish soap.The endeavor is personal for Gardner."I lost my sister-in-law to breast cancer at the age of 30 five years ago," she said. "So, anything I can do to help out cancer patients and families I like to."Hair-Riffic Salon is open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 9-8 Thursdays, 9-5 Fridays, and 9-2 on Saturdays.