FAIRMONT – You remember: The first impression you’ll make on the first day of school will set the tone for the entire year.
That’s why the Tygart Valley United Way is gearing up for a “hygiene drive” two weeks from now designed to help students in elementary, middle and high school go forth with the best first impression they can make.
From June 22 through August 22, the organization is asking people across Marion, Taylor, Barbour, Randolph and Tucker counties – the five-county region served by the Fairmont-based outreach organization – to make some very specific donations to local school pantries.
Travel shampoo and travel soap.
Deodorant.
Mouthwash.
Toothpaste.
Dental floss.
Hand sanitizer.
Feminine hygiene products.
“Every bottle of shampoo, stick of deodorant and tube of toothpaste helps a child feel confident, healthy and ready to succeed,” said Brett White, the organization’s chief executive officer.
For Tygart Valley United Way, fall doesn’t just mean going back to class.
It also means a host of volunteers answering the bell for the “Day of Action,” the annual fanning out for a good cause across those aforementioned counties.
Aforementioned volunteers call on human service endeavors under the Tygart Valley United Way’s umbrella for a host of fix-up projects, White said – usually around 40 or so.
They do painting, landscaping and general maintenance work. They restock food pantry shelves and even retweak the social media presence online, if they need to.
Sept. 11 is the date for this year’s service day – and White is already expecting big dividends in awareness and empathy, she said.
Those are the chief exports of the day, he said.
Getting to those emotional levels, the CEO said, means actually getting out to the organizations.
“Our volunteers recognize the benefit of having a firsthand opportunity to learn how United Way and local organizations are meeting the human service needs in our community,” White said.
Call Tygart Valley United Way at 304-366-4550 for more information on the hygiene drive and Day of Action outreach.
You may also visit the organization at http://www.tvunitedway.org or on Facebook and other social media.
