EHS collects clothes for hurricane victims

Sheila Maxson will be on a mission of mercy when she makes her annual pilgrimage to her hometown next week for Fall Break.

Maxson, who has taught at Eisenhower High School (EHS) for the past 10 years, is collecting coats, hats and gloves to take to Reidsville, N.C., for the victims of Hurricane Helene. The community of about 14,500 is located in northern North Carolina near the Virginia border. The area was not directly impacted by the hurricane, but is trying to help those that were.

Her sister works at Cone Health Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville, and mentioned to Maxson that the hospital is collecting clothing items for the victims of Hurricane Helene.

“She asked me if I had anything in my closet to donate,” Maxson said. “I thought, ‘we can do better than that.’”

So Maxson set out to enlist some help. She asked EHS Key Club officers to help with a clothing drive, then she asked the Student Council to get on board.

“They were all in,” she said.

Since she put the word out at school and on social media last week, donations have been trickling in. About four large plastic bins in the school’s foyer hold donated items.

Michael Carrubba dropped off some coats on Monday morning after his daughter saw the notice on social media.

“This is stuff I use occasionally and I wanted to give it to someone who can use it,” he said. “I hope someone can use it because those people have nothing.”

Maxson is thankful for every item donated. She said Barbara Wallace, whose children graduated from EHS, made a large donation. As Maxson sorted through the bins Monday morning, she found several coats and some blankets.

“They can use this,” she said as she pulled item after item out of the bins.

The donated items will be added to the clothing drive the hospital in Reidsville is conducting and then distributed to area communities.

Maxson sees another benefit to the clothing drive. Not only will the items help those in need, EHS students are able to participate in a national relief effort.

“The kids always want to find a way to help. Typically, disasters are not in our area so there’s not a way that we can,” she said. “Since I’m going that way, I can take the items. They are excited because they can donate to an area in need.”

Maxson said new or gently used winter clothing items such as coats, hats, gloves, sweaters, sweatshirts and hoodies are needed for all age groups. Those wishing to donate may drop the items off in the foyer at EHS.

Donations will be accepted until Maxson loads up her SUV after school on Friday.

“I have a big SUV and hopefully I will pack it full. That is my goal,” she said.