Girls United has been running a school-wide hygiene drive from Dec. 18 through Jan. 29 to collect personal care items for People Serving People, a local non-profit that supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The drive, discussed at their meeting on Jan. 26, is focused on collecting everyday necessities such as shampoo, deodorant, body wash and lotion.
Junior club co-president Adrienne Krill said the hygiene drive is carrying on an initiative that was started last school year. She said the club wanted to find a meaningful way to support women and take action.
“This drive is a continuation from last year, but it’s always nice to be able to help the community,” Krill said. “Especially during times like these, we wanted to do something that felt proactive.”
According to junior treasurer Celia Slattengren, she decided to donate to the hygiene drive because the donation process was simple and accessible. She said being able to support a local cause made the effort feel more special.
“I participated because I believed in the cause and had extra products I wasn’t going to use,” Slattengren said. “Donating felt like an easy but meaningful way to help people in our community, especially since it supports a local organization and a school club at the same time. It doesn’t take much effort if you have extra items, and the impact feels more personal because it helps people nearby.”
Club advisor Julia Germain said hygiene drives give students a tangible way to engage with community issues. She said initiatives like this help students understand the importance of service beyond the classroom.
“A hygiene drive is an important initiative because it addresses a basic need that often goes unnoticed,” Germain said. “It really allows for the students to take responsibility and see how small actions like this can make a real difference in their community.”
According to Krill, the items being collected were chosen based on the community needs of People Serving People and accessibility. She said the goal was to focus on products that are essential to daily life.
“We’re collecting items like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash, lotion and other basic hygiene products because they are used every day and unfortunately aren’t always easy for people to access,” Krill said. “We wanted to focus on necessities that can make a big difference in someone’s daily life.”
Slattengren said participating in the drive gave her a better understanding of how teamwork can create change. She said working with other students made the experience feel more personal and rewarding.
“I’ve learned with this drive that small acts of kindness really add up,” Slattengren said. “A single donation might not seem like much, but when many people contribute, the collective impact can be significant and long-lasting. It made me feel happy and fulfilled, and I also felt more connected to the community by working alongside other students who cared about the same cause.”
According to Germain, the hygiene drive is meant to highlight the importance of giving back in simple, purposeful ways. She said she hopes students understand how their actions can positively affect others, especially during tough times.
“I hope people take away that even items like (hygiene items) are hard for people to get, and it’s important to help if you can,” Germain said. “Beyond the items collected, this drive is about building empathy, fostering community and showing that everyone has the power to help.”
