INWOOD - Sherry Myers and Dara Hutzler have known each other for the better part of 40 years and are still close friends, sharing lives that include children and helping out in the community.
Both are Musselman High School graduates and serve as officers in the school's Parents Teacher Student Association -an offshoot of the national PTA organization.
Not surprisingly, they often think alike and are concerned about the same kinds of issues.
Article Photos
Journal photo by Jenni Vincent
Musselman Parents Teacher Student Association officers, president Sherry Myers, left, and treasurer Dara Hutzler examine some of the items that have already been donated to be sent to Oklahoma tornado victims, but it?s not too late to help, since a tractor trailer won?t be packed until Saturday morning.
It wasn't long after Oklahoma residents were ravaged by tornadoes that the pair shared another idea - collecting items to be sent to storm survivors.
"We were just talking on the phone, brainstorming about what we could do because we wanted to help. And that was the beginning of what we're calling 'Kids helping kids' and all this," Myers said with a smile at Hutzler, as they looked at a growing mound of donated items temporarily being housed in the MHS lobby.
While MHS is serving as the central deposit location, 13 other Berkeley County schools as well as many businesses, banks, organizations and churches have also been active in this drive to collect everything from batteries and flashlights to toiletry and personal hygiene items, she said.
Other participating schools include Back Creek Valley Elementary, Musselman Middle, Mill Creek Intermediate, Valley View Elementary, Rosemont Elementary, Tomahawk Elementary, Spring Hills Primary, Spring Hills Middle, Berkeley Heights Elementary, Bunker Hill Elementary, North Middle School, Orchard View Intermediate and Tuscarora Elementary.
Well-known retailers in Martinsburg have also agreed to participate, including Target - which will be donating household, seasonal items -and Walmart, which is donating personal hygiene items.
However, there's also still time for other folks to donate since a tractor trailer -donated by MHS alumni Virginia Riggers - won't be packed until Saturday at the school beginning at 8 a.m., but that's also another way interested individuals can help, Myers said.
"We really need people to come help us pack boxes and then get them in the trailer. And we're also asking people to bring packing tape with them Saturday," she said, adding that another MHS alumni is donating the boxes.
Donations can also be taken to the MHS lobby on Friday from noon to 3 p.m.
Locally, donations can also be taken to several businesses in Inwood, including United Bank, City Bank, Pizza Oven, and the South Berkeley Little League concession stand at Appleland Park as well as Gold Party Diva East in Darkesville and Appletown Auction in Bunker Hill. Donated items will be collected Friday afternoon.
Additionally, a trailer will be located in the Martinsburg K-Mart Thursday from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Myers said Riggers is also footing the bill for transporting the donated items to Oklahoma, a two-day trip that will begin Monday.
Thanks to the local group's PTSA affiliation, folks in Oklahoma have already been located who will help unload and distribute the items to storm victims, said Myers, president of MHS' organization.
"It has been truly amazing because, since we are part of a national organization, all we had to do is pick up the phone and make a simple call to get volunteers to help us on that end," Myers said.
Eager to get even more donations, Hutzler said she has already been impressed with both the quantity and quality of donated items.
"There is just so much here that people will be able to use. Things like toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap as well as even lots of tissues and cleaning products. It's just hard to imagine the need, so hopefully this will help some folks as they begin to get back to their normal lives," Hutzler said.
MHS Principal Holly Kleppner said she is proud but not surprised by the local response.
"People here definitely do their best to help others, but especially when there is a problem like this. The people in this community just have good hearts," Kleppner said.
"And since Musselman High is the heart of the south Berkeley community, it also made sense that this effort would come out of here and also that donations be brought here to be prepared for their trip to Oklahoma," she said.
- Staff writer Jenni Vincent can be reached at 304-263-8931, ext. 131.
Source: http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/595240.html
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