Girls State collects its donations for charity

By Abigail Beeson

Over the last few years, Girls State has only focused on the Barakah House for donations, but this year they decided to expand that by helping three different organizations.

Walking in the door on Monday morning, each Girls State delegate could see the pile of supplies accumulating under the staircase.

The community project this year supports homeless veterans living in HUD-VASH housing, the Barakah House and those in the Transition in Place program.

The Girls State community project guidelines stated they must all remember the veterans of this country and those still serving in active military as  true American Heroes, and the sacrifices they and their families have given continue to allow citizens to live in a country where many take their freedom for granted.

Each Girls State delegate received a manila envelope in the mail containing everything they needed to know for the upcoming week.

The community project information was also located in that envelope. Junior counselors will deliver all donations to the Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Anywhere from $750-$1,000 worth of items was collected.

Cheryl Hovorka, director of American Legion Auxiliary South Dakota Girls State, said, “I like helping this group because it’s not just one agency that we’re helping — it’s three.”

Donation items consisted of personal care items, laundry and baskets and towels. For the women veterans program, baby swaddling blankets, CDs of relaxing music and travel-size personal use items were brought by many delegates.  Gas and taxi vouchers, blow-up mattresses and blankets were donated for the homeless veterans program.

Aurora Hanson, Los Angeles, said, “Fundraisers like this are the least amount of work that I can do for people that have done so much for me.  Something like this means so much to them and having them serve our country means so much to me.”

To promote this fundraiser, press releases and information in the packet were sent out to each delegate.

Brenda Stevens, from the Sioux Falls VA, will distribute to all the veterans once the junior counselors deliver it.  The VA also helps homeless veterans find a place to live by setting up their own housing.