Partnering with 8th Graders to Collect Items for the Needy
Looking to build upon her first annual, highly-successful toiletries drive held earlier this year, Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight (D-Hudson) has launched her
2nd Annual Toiletries Collection Project. The special initiative with eighth grade students in her district is currently underway.
“This drive is a wonderful example of civic engagement, student involvement and showing compassion towards those who need a helping hand” said McKnight. “When everyone contributes and helps, we all win.”
Megan Wasserman, an eighth grade student in McKnight’s district, was the catalyst for the drive. Seeking a project through which she could earn community service hours for school, the innovative youngster contacted Assemblywoman McKnight. After Wasserman and her mother, Rachel Wasserman, met with Assemblywoman McKnight to discuss a project, the legislator decided to make the drive a broader initiative whereby eighth grade students from other schools could also participate. Over a period of nearly three months, the students collected 2,350 toiletry items including soap, toothbrushes, lotion and deodorant. They then packed the items, which were collected this past spring and distributed them during the fall.
The donations came from eighth grade students in the following Jersey City schools: Ollie Culbreth, Jr. School/P.S. 14, Chaplain Charles Watters School/P.S. 24, Golden Door Charter School, President Barack Obama Elementary School/P.S. 34, The Ethical Community Charter School, Soaring Heights Charter School, Infinity Institute, Jersey City Community Charter School, and Beloved Community Charter School (seventh grade). Students at Phillip Groom Community School in Bayonne also collected toiletry items.
Once collected, the toiletries were distributed to several organizations throughout Hudson County including The Windmill Alliance Center/HIGHWAYS, WomenRising, Inc., York Street Project, St. Lucy’s Emergency Shelter, Haven Adolescent Community Center and Hunger Free Bayonne.
“The tremendous support we have received from students, civic organizations and the overall community has been amazing,” said McKnight. “We’re really excited about the lives that we will be able to touch through the donations from our second annual toiletries drive.”
Donations to the drive are now being accepted at Assemblywoman McKnight’s district office located at 2324 John F. Kennedy Blvd. in Jersey City. They will be accepted through April 30, 2019. For more information, please contact Assemblywoman McKnight’s district office at (201) 360-2502.