Girl Up feminine hygiene drive helps community

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Bella Glastra van Loon

Natalie Opager and Halle Isaak are holding some of the donations dropped off at the High School. The donated goods will be given to Rose Haven.

The female empowerment club at Wilsonville High School has just had their second annual hygiene drive. In a normal year, bins would be placed around the school and classes would have competitions to have as many people as possible contribute, but with virtual learning still taking place, the club had to think outside the box in order to continue this great tradition. 

Seniors Natalie Opager and Bella Glastra van Loon are the co-presidents of the club this year, and were able to organize the drive in a safe manner by having multiple options available to the community.

The club put up fliers around neighborhoods and local businesses to spread awareness, and people were able to contribute by either leaving donations on their porch for pick up, going to one of several drop box locations across town, and even ordering off an Amazon wish list.

The club states, “We just finished the drive and the community turn out was amazing,” and expresses their gratitude for everyone who supported them. The toiletries collected will be dropped off at Rose Haven, a shelter and community for women, children, and those identifying as marginalized genders who are experiencing poverty.

Still in counting, the drive has raised 10 boxes of pads and tampons, 10 sweaters, 7 bags of hotel toiletries, 6 packs of socks, and many other items that will be greatly appreciated as the pandemic continues.