I am a rising senior in high school, class of 2016. This summer I wanted to do something other than be lazy and idle, so I was thinking of various community service projects I could take part in. There are currently no drives going on in my city in the summer, so my friend and I were thinking about creating a unique drive that involves items that aren’t very popular in the more common drives, like bathroom essentials and toiletries. I was just curious as to how important this would be to colleges like HYPS and colleges of that caliber. I’m not doing it just for my resume, as many people will probably assume; I actually want to organize this drive and think it’ll be extremely rewarding. However, ever the conscientious student, I have the thought of college apps in the back of my mind, and I was wondering if this would play a big role, if at all. I’d really like to know, so please don’t just say that I should do it and not think about what colleges will say. As much as I (or any other high school student) would like to say that our ECs aren’t influenced by college apps, it certainly isn’t true. Thank you in advance!
Why wouldn’t it be?
Yes of course!
Yes, all kids think of college application. At least you are honest. It might not count much because it’s only in one summer but it’s better than nothing.
What is the actual need for a “hygiene drive”? I mean, on the scale of issues that communities are facing, where is “hygiene”?
Do you have NHS or other community service clubs at school? Because this exact drive was something just done a few weeks back in my kids school by NHS or something similar. I don’t think it is an EC in itself, it is a small project that any schools that connect with homeless shelters might do now and then as part of community service. The kids in the club asked their mums to buy some stuff and collected it, it was very low key. I wouldn’t want to see my kid write anything about the specific drive on a college ap because it was a small project.
@JustOneDad When I went to visit the local shelters and rescue missions, the workers there didn’t really focus on giving hygiene items like shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc to the homeless. It was mainly just food and sometimes clothes. I feel like hosting a drive would help collect items for this specific cause and it would help the homeless greatly, because it’s imperative to be clean and relatively nice-looking to get a job.
@Alfonsia We have an NHS club at school, but it is the absolute worst. We do NOTHING in that club. It’s more of a resume-padding club than anything. And also now that school is out, I’m not sure how to contact the people from that club anyway. What my friend and I were thinking is that we’d try to get small local businesses to donate money and simultaneously have donation bins set up around town. So it would be a bit more involvement than just a pure donation pledge drive.
@DrGoogle Also, does it look bad that it’s just one summer? Why? I hadn’t thought of that…
Would it “help the homeless greatly,”? I wonder how much having a bit of soap and a tube of shampoo helps in comparison to having the facilities, the opportunity or the understanding of how hygiene impacts job seeking.
@JustOneDad Well the main reason I thought of it is because that’s the only area where the bases aren’t fully covered at the local rescue missions. My town has done a good job with feeding, sheltering, and clothing the homeless–with all the facilities-- but they somehow seem to forget about this aspect of it. I know this because I do volunteer there and I see what happens. I just thought a hygiene drive would be an additional help to these shelters/rescue missions while being relatively easy for people to donate. Do you not think it is a good idea?
Do the shelters have facilities for washing?
@JustOneDad There are two shelters in my town. One is just a “handout” type of shelter, where they just give the needy/homeless food, clothes, etc (NOT hygiene items. Well, they do give feminine products, but that’s about it) and the other is a facility-type shelter with programs and some overnight stays. In that case, there are facilities for washing. But in the first “shelter,” there aren’t. That would be our main focus/target.
Honestly, I just want to do something. Oftentimes just volunteering isn’t that helpful, since there are usually a surplus of volunteers and I just stand around doing nothing.
Oh, now we’re getting somewhere.
You want to do something. Is this for the homeless or is it for you?
@JustOneDad I’m not going to lie and say that it’s just for the homeless. Obviously, I want to get something out of it. That’s why anyone would do anything. So, I’d say both. I want the homeless AND myself to get something out of this. Which is better than the other option, which is creating something solely for my own pleasure and benefit.
Have you talked to the shelter directors to find out what kind of assistance their programs really need?
Since you volunteer at the shelters, why don’t you ask the people who work there what they need? They probably have a wish list and they’ll know better than anyone what the members of your community need.
Founding a club or organization is seen pretty positive by selective schools, they brag about it on their website, “25% of our accepted students have founded a club”. If you found a club, you are not going to be standing around, but you will have a whole new set of experiences with fundraising, getting volunteers, etc. You could find a few friends, and really approach this as a club, maybe two co-presidents, co-founders, a treasurer (to buy stuff, track donations), secretary (make phone calls, notes, publish to website), etc.
I might rebrand, there is a bit of an ick factor in Hygeine and maybe a bit of condescension too (like do your really believe these people have never brushed their teeth). Personal care, beauty, dental items maybe in a nice little bag that someone could volunteer to make …
Usually the best route to positive contributions is to meet with say the homeless shelter folks and ask “What can I and some of my friends do to make this organization serve these people better?”. They might be more interested in having you volunteer your time than bring in bags of toothpaste (also these should be donated items or at least severely discounted by a local store). But that is also a potential club …
@JustOneDad Not yet. We actually just came up with this idea yesterday. We are planning on doing that next week.
I doubt that homeless people need anything else to carry around with them. In our local homeless shelters, those types of items are already supplied.
This is not the type of activity that is going to make any difference in your admissions chances, which seems to be the main factor for you. What are your academic interests? There must be other volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood that are better options.
Founding a club would insure that the organization and positive contributions last longer than your remaining years in HS. You could contact your school and see what the process is to found a club and get a teacher assigned.
You can also ask the homeless shelter if there are existing organizations that already help them, maybe you can contribute at that level too.
Boy Scout Eagle and Girl Scout Gold projects require that projects last beyond that specific person, by handing over the reins to someone after that person completes their Eagle and Gold projects. If you cannot do one of those, it may be helpful to look at their programs to get a good recipe for success.
It is impressive that you chose to help the homeless rather than play videos, watch TV, sleep late, hang out with friends … so thank you.