Five things to know about an initiative to help teens

Diane Turbyfill, The Shelby Star
·2 min read
Cleveland County Public Health Center
Cleveland County Public Health Center

For the second year in a row, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition and Cleveland County Health Department are sponsoring a drive to collect personal hygiene products for teens.

“The need for these items was first brought to our attention last school year by our School Health Supervisor,” said Anne Short, director of community health services and teen pregnancy prevention director for the Cleveland County Health Department. “Students and school support staff such as counselors and social workers contacted school nurses asking for feminine hygiene and personal care products for students. We decided as a coalition that we needed to do something to help these students access the items they needed.”

Here are five things to know about the effort:

1. Addressing a need

According to organizers, personal hygiene items are essential but not always readily accessible to youth in Cleveland County. As a result, the Cleveland County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition, in partnership with the Cleveland County Health Department, began the Personal Care Kit Collection Drive to collect much needed personal care items for school-aged children.

2. What to donate

Items needed include deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, bar soap, wash cloths, feminine hygiene products, and shampoo.

3. Where to bring things

Items can be dropped off throughout Cleveland County at all Cleveland County YMCA branches, Cornerstone Dental Associates, All State Employee’s Credit Unions in Cleveland County, Big Red’s Café in Kings Mountain, Shelby Women’s Care, and Cleveland County Health Department.

4. Donors stepping up

Last year, the drive brought in enough donations to put together more than 750 personal care kits that were provided to students attending Cleveland County Schools. The kits were distributed by school health nurses as needs were identified. And, by the end of last school year, all of the personal care kits had been distributed.

5. Weeks remain to help

The personal care kit drive is running now through July 31. For additional information or to make a monetary donation, please contact 980-484-5128 or Hallie.boggs@clevelandcountync.gov.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Five things to know about an initiative to help teens