Backpacks hold more than school books and hiking gear!
A generous and faithful group of women from St. Philip the Deacon have been sewing and filling 200 string backpacks with personal care items for men and women. The brainchild of Viola Horton, each bag is filled with the specific needs of men and women in mind. The completed bags are then sent to the HIV Day Center run by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Thanks to seamstresses Viola Horton, Sarah Groshell and Susan McDowell for all the sewing, Pat Dickerson for coordinating, and Viola and Steve Horton for generously purchasing all the supplies and contents.
A men’s hygiene kit includes items such as: a wash cloth, a homemade mask, deodorant, shave gel, tissues, toothbrush (with cover and toothpaste), a razor, shampoo and conditioner, and soap. A smaller bag is included with dental floss, antibiotic cream and nail clippers. A separate bag with briefs and socks are also included.
The kits for women include these same items in addition to feminine hygiene products, women’s underclothes and smaller socks.
The string backpacks are made to carry the contents of each kit. Each kit has a color coded size tag attached to it, indicating what size the clothing items are.