Hygiene Haul will help give TV students a fresh start

When times are tough, it can be difficult to know whom or how to help. But two Bolivar area women have come up with a program to help local families give Tusky Valley students a start to the school year as clean as a fresh sheet of paper.

The Hygiene Haul is the brainchild of friends Kelly Burwell and Lacey Jones, and the idea is for local residents and businesses to donate from a specific list of personal care products to be distributed to families who can use the extra help.

“Everyone seems to do school supply drives,” said Jones, “but no one seems to offer personal care items. So I sent Kelly a text with the idea for The Hygiene Haul.”

Burwell’s response was an instant “Lacey, let’s do it.”

Kaley Wolf Hamilton, Tusky Valley’s student/family advocate, will assure that the right families receive the personal care items they need. Wolf said she is unsure at this point how many families may be in need but has a good starting point.

“We serve roughly 160 kids with the Tuff Bag weekend food program, and those are the kids I will start with,” said Hamilton. “I also plan to pass out some of the products to kids and families I know could use them and then keep some back to have throughout the year.”

Jones added that she and her husband are always looking for ways to help local families.

“We want to help kids feel good and confident heading into the school year,” said Jones. “No one should have to worry about basic hygiene. We want to help fill that gap for local families.”

Burwell shares Jones’ passion for helping children.

“I was a single mom for quite a while, and there were a lot of times my kids had to go without,” she said. “I still feel guilt over it.

Most-needed items

Topping the list are underwear and socks of all sizes.

“A lot of places will offer vouchers that can only be used for specific items, and socks and underwear aren’t usually on the list,” said Burwell.

Feminine hygiene products are also much-needed.

“One of our priorities is to collect feminine hygiene products,” said Burwell. “Access to these items isn’t always guaranteed for young girls, especially in nontraditional caregiving situations. We want to ensure no one has to feel uncomfortable or go without.”

Additional products needed

Other needed items includetoothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, body wash and bar soap, hair products and lotion. Other personal care items for various ages will be welcomed.

“I’d also like kids to be able to contact me if they are in need, so they can choose the items they would like,” said Hamilton, who gave her cell number as 330-934-0738.

The easiest way to help.

A complete list of items to purchase can be found on the group’s flyer, posted on Facebook at Jones Hauling and Excavating. A link to an Amazon wish list can be found on the flyer, and items ordered there will be auto-shipped to The Hygiene Haul at no cost.

Purchases made in stores can be dropped off at a number of Tuscarawas County businesses, including Zoar Market, Zoar Creamery, Atwood Lake Boats, Mineral City and Bolivar libraries, Towpath Tavern, Simply Cinnamon, Emley Chiropractic, Under the Sun and Buckeye Tire. The list also can be found on the flyer.

A soft deadline of Aug. 15 has been set to allow time for organizing and distributing items before or near the start of school. However, donations will be welcome at any time.

For more information, readers can reach out through Facebook messenger to either Lacey Jones or Kelly Burwell.