Donation boxes to be set up throughout the area

Photo by Chad Koenen
Collection boxes have been set up at a number of locations throughout Henning and Vining for a new Lenten giving program. The program is being organized by Norah Froslee.

No-cost things in small packages can truly make a big difference in someone’s life.

Between now and April 10, Norah Froslee is coordinating a “personal care” drive to collect new, unopened mini toiletry items. These products will go to charities in the Fargo-Moorhead area to help the homeless, abused, and needy. 

Toiletries could be mini/sample or travel sizes (e.g. a bar of soap or a bottle of shampoo from a hotel stay or a sample from a store) or a they could be regular size such as a new toothbrush from a dentist’s office visit.  

This drive could also be a good time to donate larger-sized portions of a gift set received during the holidays, which people do not want or cannot use, as long as the individual items are new.

Any useful personal care items are welcome (such as: dental floss, razors, combs, deodorant, make-up remover pads, lotion, conditioner, mouthwash, feminine hygiene products, diapers, hand sanitizers, etc.)  

All items must be unopened, unused and in their original packaging.  This is very important for maintaining the health, safety and sanitation of recipients who most likely will be in very stressful circumstances and may already have health challenges.

Collection boxes will be at these locations through April 10: Henning Post Office, Vining Post Office, Henning City Hall, First National Bank Henning, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Henning, St. Edward’s Catholic Church Henning and Vining Lutheran Church.

Froslee is part of American Heritage Girls (AHG) Troop 0397, which is based out of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henning. This mini toiletry drive is a community service project, which is only one part of several leadership development elements required for her to earn AHG’s Abigail Adams level award.  

The Abigail Adams award is a comprehensive recognition requiring at least two years of dedicated effort by the girl. High school girl members must complete formal leadership training, serve as a leader within the troop, complete a variety of badges, earn their Faith’s award, complete at least twenty hours of additional service per year, as well as other requirements.

This will be the second year for a mini toiletries drive. Last Lent, collections were made at three churches, led by St Edwards Catholic Church, specifically for St Mary’s Mission at Red Lake, Minn.  The number of donated items was beyond expectations, and inspired Froslee to have this year’s expanded drive.  

During last year’s annual summer mission trip to St Mary’s Mission School at Red Lake, Minn., several full boxes of toiletry supplies were brought to the Reservation. The toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss were handed out directly to the students during summer school. All the other personal care items then went to the Mission’s Reservation thrift store for distribution to the homeless or needy throughout the year.

Now is a good time to clean out bathroom cabinets. Find all those little hotel bottles of shampoo that have not been opened, or all those brand-new toothbrushes from the dentist that have piled up in a bathroom drawer.  

Lent is a good opportunity for kindness to strangers who people may never meet.