BROOKINGS — Students in the local Brookings High School HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) chapter recently completed a successful hygiene drive aimed at supporting youth in the Brookings community who face hygiene insecurity. The drive ran from Feb. 9 to 18 and encouraged students, families, and community members to donate essential hygiene items.
Thanks to the generosity of the Brookings community, more than 2,500 hygiene products were collected, totaling over $5,000 in value. These items were distributed to organizations in the community that support local youth facing hygiene insecurity, including Brookings United Way, the Brookings Women and Children’s Abuse Shelter, and the Brookings High School Counseling Office.
Hygiene insecurity is a challenge that often goes unnoticed, yet it affects many families. In Brookings, 1 in 6 children experience hygiene insecurity, which can impact confidence, health, and a student’s ability to fully engage at school.
The Brookings High School HOSA chapter members expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from students, families, and community members who helped make the drive possible. Having a tangible way to address this deep-rooted issue was meaningful for the students involved, and the success of the drive highlights the power of a community coming together to support its youth.
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