4-H Homeless Project
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Chuck Denney
It’s a case of assembly line precision with a touch of goodwill. These Anderson County 4-H'ers are bag stuffers this day, collecting and distrubiting Christmas gifts of supplies for the homeless.
Nat Sound
"Here you go."
Chuck Denney
Mandy Stephens is the leader of these young and generous volunteers. She believes it’s important to help others, especially this time of year.
Mandy Stephens
“Because I’m so fortunate. I have wonderful parents. There are other people that they need things like this. Anything I can do to help someone else out, I mean it’s a wonderful blessing.”
Chuck Denney
Plastic bags circle the table in rapid hand-offs, and the kids fill them with toothbrushes, soap, shaving cream and other grooming items. Josiah Allen was one of the 4-H’ers here.
Josiah Allen
"Some people don't get Christmas presents. This could be a little present for them that they can use when they go on in life."
Chuck Denney
These are not your typical Christmas gifts – toiletries instead of toys – but 4-H leaders want these youngsters to learn a lesson here. Items we may take for granted could be life-changing when given to someone in need. Sarah Vaden is a 4-H agent with UT Extension..”
Sarah Vaden
“If you were just somebody that’s getting a clean shave. If you were somebody getting to put on deodorant, which we think of everyday as normal. They would consider that a luxury. We talk about this when we start collecting, and they see the project all the way thru where they can see the benefits.”
Chuck Denney
Some items collected will go to a deaf school in Mexico. Other bags will be dropped off at Oasis of Live, a local women’s shelter, and agencies such as Lost Sheep Ministries who help the homeless in the Knoxville area. The 4-H’ers had an original goal of putting together 50 bags, but they’ve exceeded that by far. Sierra Cotham says it makes her feel good to do this.
Sierra Cotham
“There are some children and some people, even grownups who don’t have jobs or don’t have homes, and they’re out there on the streets and they need something to live with, use so they can live and survive.”
Chuck Denney
To someone living on the streets, cleanliness and an improved appearance equates to dignity. These supplies could make someone feel just that way. “Help” is NOT one of the four H’s, but that’s exactly what these kids did for someone else.
END
NOTE: Last Christmas, this same group of 4-H’ers had a goal of collecting 500 pairs of socks for the homeless. They actually ended up donating more than twice that amount.
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