Haines City High students no longer have to go without clean clothes, hygiene items or school supplies, thanks to a project spearheaded by IB Resource Specialist Morgan Hammett.
“I wanted our students to know they’re not alone, that if there’s something they need, they can come to us for help,” Hammett said.
Earlier this school year, Hammett began noticing students who were wearing the same clothes several days in a row, or who were carrying stacks of books because they didn’t have a backpack. In August, she began collecting donations of clothing, shoes, deodorant, backpacks, jackets and other items. By December, she’d collected enough to open the Hornet Closet inside the HCHS media center.
Just in the last week, three students have benefited from the new resource.
“I wanted to create a place where they feel supported and welcomed, and I wanted to provide them with the things they need to walk a little taller, to feel like they fit in on campus, and to feel like they can succeed in school,” Hammett said.
“The students are so excited to have the chance to shop in the closet, to pick out things they like and that fit them. They usually want to put their new clothes on right away. It feels great to see a student who’s come to the closet and be able to say, ‘Hey, that looks really great on you!’”
Hammett continues to accept donations of new clothing and hygiene items, as well as monetary donations. To support the Hornet Closet, contact [email protected].
Publix donated a $125 gift card for Hammett to purchase hygiene supplies for the Hornet Closet.