Students in Jan Bakken’s social skills class at Henry M. Jackson High School wanted to make a difference.
And with their donation of 85 toiletry kits to the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women, they are doing just that, said Vicci Hilty, development director for the center.
Bakken’s class discussed the idea of coordinating a service project more than a month ago. When the class started brainstorming ideas for a project, things fell quickly into place. The students helped collect travel-size donations of toiletry items and then sewed drawstring bags to contain the donations.
“They did the whole thing themselves,” Bakken said.
It took the 10 students about a month to finish all of the kits, she said. Each bag is a little different, but most of them have soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, a toothbrush and toothpaste. The bags were made with donated material, and students set up two sewing machines in their classroom to get the job done, Bakken said.
Each student contributed to the project. Alexis Jardin did most of the sewing, because she had more experience than most in the class, she said. She enjoyed working on the project, mostly because it was an opportunity to give back, she said.
“There’s a lot of people out there in shelters who do need help,” Jardin said.
Putting together all of the bags was a big task to take on, and Jardin said she’s pleased they were able to finish it all.
“I want to be able to see that I’m making an accomplishment,” Jardin said.
Michael Byrd said he was glad to be able to make a difference, and he thinks students should get more involved in service projects.
“A lot of students aren’t really involved, and this is a good way to help out the community,” Byrd said.
Heather Lynne Vonbergen, Auina Vaefaga and Vannessa Booth also contributed to the project, and all of the students are looking forward to giving the donation to the center next month.
When the center receives the donations, Hilty said, women from the center’s shelter and transitional housing will benefit.
The center operates a thrift shop of sorts called New and Again, Hilty said. The store has clothing, furniture and other sundry items available to women.
“Our women use a voucher system to receive goods in the thrift shop,” Hilty said.
She said this time of the year is busy for the center, and all donations and volunteers are helpful. She said the fact that it’s coming from local students makes this donation seem even better.
“I think it’s so wonderful because it instills in (the students) this idea of giving back,” Hilty said.
She said the center has always received generous support, and it is lucky to be in this area.
“I stay humbled by the people in this community,” Hilty said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
