When Rebecca Kahlenberg read an article in the Washington Post about the current devastation in Haiti -- not only because of the aftermath from the earth quake more than a year ago, but also because of the outbreak of cholera -- she decided to help.

Kahlenberg — the Executive Director of local outreach organization, MoverMoms — reached out to local families, schools and organizations to help collect soap for the "Hope and Soap for Haiti" campaign.

“It’s one year after the earthquake and, while there has been some progress, there are still thousands of people in makeshift tents and on top of that, there is this outbreak in cholera,” Kahlenberg said. “Cholera can be avoided with clean soap and many people there can’t afford to buy it. We’re thinking that donating soap is a simple way for people to show that they care and they can take action.”

The soap collection, which goes until Feb. 14, is involving local families, schools, businesses and organizations. Winston Churchill High School is working to begin the soap collection at school, said Joanne Eglovitch, who is spearheading Churchill’s efforts. Although the school hasn’t collected any soap yet, Eglovitch said that she is hoping to set up a box in the school and get the word out.

“It’s taking off like wildfire in the community and I want it to take off at Churchill,” she said. “This is a simple, easy way to help and I think it’s a great way for the people in the Churchill community to give back, too.”

MoverMoms hosted a bake sale on Jan. 29 to help with the soap collection and raised about $600, Kahlenberg said. All of the proceeds from the bake sale, which took place at the Giant on Westbard Avenue in Bethesda, will go directly to help the collection and help purchase more soap, Kahlenberg added.

With the help from the bake sale, MoverMoms is well on their way to reaching their goal of collecting 2,011 bars of soap. The soap collection goal also coincides with MoverMoms’ goals in 2011 to have the group of volunteers collectively work 2,011 hours on service projects in the community.

MoverMoms is working with Humanity First — an organization that has been working on the ground in Haiti — to help transport and distribute the soap once it is all collected.

Although soap is the focus of the fundraiser, MoverMoms is also collecting new and gently used blankets for people living in tents in Haiti. Anyone interested in donating soap or blankets can drop them off at several different locations in the area:

• 7101 Loch Lomond Dr. in Bethesda
• 7109 Amy Lane in Bethesda
• 4900 Fort Sumner Dr. in Bethesda
• 8909 Mohawk Ln. in Bethesda
• 7300 Brookstone Ct. in Potomac
• 7412 Brickyard Rd. in Potomac
• 11807 Tifton Dr. in Potomac
• 8011 Spring Road in Cabin John
• 24320 Frederick Rd. in Clarksburg
• 3386 Stephenson Place, NW in Chevy Chase

Kahlenberg said although Haiti may not be at the forefront of people’s minds, one bar of soap could be the difference between life and death for some people.

“We try to promote service and volunteerism, educate people about local and international problems and let people know they can take simple actions to make a difference,” Kahlenberg said.