Demopolis natives attending the University of Alabama are hosting a donation drive in Demopolis and are hopeful that local residents will help in the cause.
Rachel England and Haley Etheridge are members of UA’s Open Hands Overflowing Hearts, an organization dedicated to raising money to fund pediatric cancer research. Etheridge recently chaired a project to raise money by giving away a golf cart donated by Plaza Golf Carts in Demopolis and England is project chair of The Tide Goes Gold Donation Drive.
OHOH-UA are expanding the drive from Tuscaloosa to Demopolis and will be collecting items to form “chemo care kits” for families and children going through treatment. When children are first diagnosed, families are not always prepared to stay in the hospital so the comfort toiletry items are often a big help to them in the first few nights. The packages also provide children with toys to play with during their hospital stay and helps bring them joy during difficult and often scary times.
The following items are those being collected.
Travel sizes of these items are needed:
Adult kit: Germ-x, unisex deodorant, tooth brush, tooth paste, kleenex, mints, gum, shampoo conditioner
Infant kit: Vaseline, baby lotion, wash cloths, wipes
Child/Toddler kit: Bubbles, dry erase markers, small toys, coloring books, crayons, stickers
Teen girl kit: Nail polish, adult coloring book, color pencils, make up (mascara, eyeshadow or lip gloss)
Teen boy kit: Cool socks, comic books, beanies, playing cards
Boxes to drop off items are located at the District Attorney’s Office, 100 E. Washington St., and Sweetwater State Bank, 1202 Osgood Loop.
The drive will end Friday, Jan. 13.