By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Youth Commission International, a student-led evangelical club at West Rowan Middle School, is collecting items for Rowan Helping Ministries.
The club, formed Sept. 23, meets weekly for Bible study and other group activities.
This is the group’s first service project, adviser Marian Thompson said. One of the school’s guidance counselors, Thompson said she and the students brainstormed about their first project.
“I shared with them this project that I did previously at a high school in Cabarrus County,” she said.
The students are collecting:
– plates or bowls
– cups
– napkins or paper towels
– forks, spoons and knives
– shampoo and conditioner
– soap or body wash
– toothpaste and toothbrushes
– combs or brushes
– lotion
– unscented baby powder
– baby oil
– all sizes of disposable diapers
– unscented deodorant
– sanitary napkins
– disposable razors
– shaving cream
– hair spray and oil sheen
– dish detergent
– clothing detergent
– hand sanitizer
Those are items the shelters and other places run short on, Thompson said.
“The whole idea is we have food and clothing drives for the needy. Even though we collect food, we never think about the things to go along with it,” Thompson said.
The donated items are being collected at the school in front of the media center and will later be given to Rowan Helping Ministries-West, 781 Grampion Road, Mount Ulla. The students chose that branch because it’s in western Rowan.
Students, faculty and staff have responded. Thompson emptied one bin last week. She wants the giving spirit to continue.
“We are hoping they will overflow,” she said.
The group focuses on being “a blessing” to the school community ó students, staff and families, Thompson said.
“It’s important that even though the law says we can’t pray in schools and there’s a lot of things we can’t, but if we didn’t have that we wouldn’t survive at all,” Thompson said.
The drive ends Nov. 20, and the club hopes to make a presentation to Rowan Helping Ministries Nov. 23.
The club, which averages about 35 students a week, meets each Thursday at 7:40 a.m.
Student leaders in the club are Hannah Blackmon, president; Zack Russell, vice president; Constance “Alicia” Hall, secretary; Madison Cook, treasurer; and Montee McNeil and Jake Kennedy, chaplains.
For more information about the drive, contact West Rowan Middle at 704-633-4775.