Toothpaste, tissue and baby wipes

PARK HILLS – Their project is called, &#8220April Showers,” but it was more like a downpour that fell on Girl Scouts in the Parkland as they collected bags of personal items Saturday. The bags of such things as toothpaste, shampoo, soap and toilet tissue were donated by homeowners and left outside for the scouts to get.

As Troop 1435 scooted through Leadington and Elvins, they got splashed.

&#8220A car passed by and splashed water on me,” said Miranda Scruggs.

&#8220I almost got splashed!” said Alli Wadlow.

For about two-and-a-half hours, their leaders said they scurried over their assigned territory, wearing all sorts of gear to keep them dry and picking up bags – some of them soggy – of donated items.

When they were done, they brought 500 items to the Elvins Food Pantry.

&#8220These personal care products are hardly ever donated, so we really need them all year long,” said Wilma Peterson, Elvins Pantry.

As the first and second grade girls from Farmington and Park Hills brought them in, the items were separated, first onto a table and then inside a box.

Toothbrushes and toothpaste, baby products, razors, mouthwash, lotions, feminine hygiene products and many more.

&#8220We definitely appreciate everything that’s donated,” said Peterson.

&#8220We are helping people who do not have the stuff they need,” said Scruggs.

The six little girls in the troop had had a sleepover at leader Paula Chapman’s house Friday night so they’d be ready to make their collection Saturday morning. The co-leader of the troop is Mary Scruggs. After they finished collecting, they feasted on hot dogs with all the trimmings.

Agencies that benefited from donations throughout the county include the Elvins Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul Society at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Park Hills and St. Joseph Church in Farmington, New Way Shelter in Bonne Terre, the Bismarck Church of God Pantry and the Farmington Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry.

Girl Scouts throughout St. Francois County brought in items to other agencies that help those in need. Individuals who may have missed the chance to donate may do so at any time at pantries throughout the area.

Personal care items cannot be purchased with food stamps. The Girl Scout April Showers program hoped to collect one million such items for local families and individuals in need.