PHN Students Support Local Shelter Through Hygiene Drive

Pickerington North Students Lead Hygiene Drive to Support Local Shelter

Students at Pickerington High School North are making a meaningful impact beyond their school walls through service, collaboration, and compassion.

The PHSN Red Cross Club, in partnership with the school’s Key Club, recently organized and completed a hygiene drive to support the Open Shelter in Columbus, Ohio, a nonprofit that provides emergency housing and essential resources for individuals in need. Through the collaborative effort, students assembled and donated approximately 45 hygiene bags, each filled with toiletries, essential personal care items, and handwritten notes of encouragement.

“This project was very meaningful to our club members because it allowed us to directly support a local organization and make a beneficial impact on our community,” said President of the Pickerington High School North Red Cross Club Katie Merdassa. “Including encouraging notes was especially important to us—we hoped to leave lasting words on the hearts of those receiving the bags,” she added.

Students coordinated the effort from start to finish, working directly with the Open Shelter to identify needs, collect donations, assemble the hygiene kits, and deliver them to the shelter.

Club Advisor and Pickerington North School Nurse Marnica Dreher, Rn, MSN, LSN,  says it’s a privilege working alongside an inspiring group of students who are passionate about making a difference. 

“We meet monthly to learn about the importance of being actively involved in our community and to develop a deeper understanding of real-life issues that affect people every day.  Through volunteering and hands-on learning, students build life-saving skills such as CPR and first aid, while also exploring the broader mission of the Red Cross in providing humanitarian aid.  It is incredibly rewarding to support students as they grow into compassionate, informed leaders who are committed to helping others.”

Beyond meeting an immediate community need, the project also strengthened student connections across clubs.

“Seeing a collaborative and successful student effort overall strengthened the club and its members,” Merdassa said. “Working alongside the Key Club showed what we can accomplish when students come together for a shared purpose.”

Students involved in the project echoed that sentiment.

"Personally, the project made me feel happy to give back those who might not have access to these necessities, said Pickerington High School North Junior Reinhold Katsiga. “I believe that everyone should be able to obtain these resources, so this project mattered to me because I had the opportunity to help those in need."

"Personally, for me, the Red Cross is more than just a club; it's a community," emphasized Pickerington High School North Junior Cooper Baase. “Seeing everyone working together, passing materials, and overall just helping each other with the intent to spread support to the rest of society is impassionating. It is unbelievable that something I enjoy so much is all just to support others in need."

The hygiene bags have already been delivered to the Open Shelter, where they will help support individuals during a critical time.

Projects like this reflect Pickerington Local Schools’ commitment to developing students who are not only academically prepared, but also engaged citizens who lead with empathy and service.

Photos from the project capture students assembling supplies, writing notes, and preparing the donations—highlighting the care and pride behind their work.