Rebecca Cossa’s Careers in Animal and Plant Sciences students are being community difference makers this month by collecting hygiene and cleaning products for those in need.
“We wanted to help the community around us because I know the government was shut down and a lot of people are struggling right now,” said Elianna Fell, junior class president for Future Farmers of America at Dutchess BOCES. “By having the drive, we can have people at BOCES help us by bringing different items, even one item helps us.”
The drive is scheduled to end on Nov. 21, but Cossa said her high school seniors and juniors will continue to collect products until Thanksgiving break. Students and staff may drop off their donations in boxes located at the crossroads of each wing throughout Dutchess BOCES’ Career & Technical Institute. Cossa’s students pick up the donated products from the boxes each morning and afternoon.
“I think it’s going great so far,” said Leah Vinchiarello, FFA junior class vice president. “I think there are high expectations for this. I think many people are benefitting from this.”
Vinchiarello added, “I feel good knowing I’m helping other people. It’s nice for us to help them in certain ways even though we do not know their full story. I personally am enjoying doing it. I think it’s a great thing.”
Some of the cleaning items being collected include paper towels, disinfecting wipes, dish soap, sponges, laundry soap, all-purpose cleaners, mop solution and window cleaner. Hygiene products being collected include shampoo, bar soap, liquid soap, feminine products, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper and deodorant.
Cossa said students will assess this process and may decide to do additional collections in every other month after the New Year holiday.
“Right now, we’re just looking at November because we haven’t done this before. We want to make appropriate collections and donations in quantities that are truly useful,” said Cossa.
