Kim Kelley’s junior cosmetology class, at the Collins Career Center, decided to gather as many personal hygiene products as possible.

Thursday, September 30, 1999

Kim Kelley’s junior cosmetology class, at the Collins Career Center, decided to gather as many personal hygiene products as possible. The plan turned into a challenge to all classes at the school.

"We collected over 9,000 total items, the most coming from Computer Applications In Business with over 1,900 items," Mrs. Kelley said. "I thought it would be a good idea, but it was absolutely amazing. It made us all feel good."

As incentive, the club that donated the most gifts was rewarded with a pizza party.

Soap, deodorant, diapers, toothbrushes and paste, and baby formula are just a few of the items sent to the Carolinas.

"We were trying to help those people get back on their feet a little. They lost everything they had," said Kayla Robinson of Coal Grove, junior. "I didn’t think it would turn out as well as it did, but we are very happy about the results."

Junior Jeannie Freeman of South Point was also pleasantly surprised.

"It was awesome seeing people bringing in big boxes of things. It shocked me, that they would care about people so far away," she said. "I’m very proud of this school and all the individuals who helped out."

Miss Robinson said that most of the items came from personal donations, but that the students did door knocking as well.

"Some of us went out to hospitals and took fliers around, but for the biggest part, it came from donations through kids at the school," she said.

"Even the kids who do not have a lot themselves brought something in," Mrs. Kelley said. "It’s good to have teenagers working on charities. It helps them develop leadership qualities. They see they can help those less fortunate than themselves."

Alhough this project went well, Miss Freeman said the school is not finished helping those in need.

"Now we know that anytime something like this happens, all the kids in the school will come together and help out," she said.

The donation program was sponsored by the Cosmetology Skills USA/VICA club.