Members of the Sons of the American Legion (SOL) Post 290 are in the midst of a hygiene item drive from K-5 students from Columbiana’s Joshua Dixon Elementary School and Crestview Elementary School. Pictured from left, Drew Kinard, second vice; Wayne Kinard, SOL commander; Ernest Thomas, first vice; Ryan Pike, SOL member and FOP Quaker Lodge secretary; and Larry Allcorn, SOL financial officer. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

COLUMBIANA — One of the American Legion’s four pillars behind its mission is a focus on the well-being of youth in addition to its commitment to veterans affairs, national security and Americanism.

However, it is often the most overlooked of their contributions.

This holiday season as the Columbiana American Legion Post 290 heads into Thanksgiving, it has renewed that commitment. Recently the post contributed $1,000 to each Columbiana and Crestview for use in elementary schools to provide for purchase of student food and clothing needs as well as just-introduced a hygiene item drive.

According to Kim Sharshan, principal of Joshua Dixon Elementary School, the post’s donation will be earmarked to purchase food for her families as there is a demonstrated shortfall on weekends when there are no school. This will include the purchase of gift cards for distribution during Thanksgiving.

Once received, Columbiana will spend its donation on its food pantry for weekend means.

Stephanie Buckeker, secretary at Crestview Elementary School, explained that Crestview is earmarking its towards student clothing needs of items like socks and undergarments.

The SOL had approached district elementary officials about if received a donation, what needs would they fulfill.

Both relayed about how often staff members pay for items students need as well as about students’ limited access to hygiene products, so the SOL also decided to hold a drive collecting items like socks, underwear, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, combs, brushes, cotton swabs, lip balm as well as bar and liquid soap until Dec. 17 inside the post lobby, 44403 state Route 14.

Kinard explained that items will be compiled into individual Clean Kids Kits based on age and gender information for K-5 students at both elementary schools.

When Legion member Ryan Pike, also a county sheriff deputy and secretary for the Quaker Fraternal Order of Police lodge, said after hearing about the drive that he talked to his fellow members of the Quaker Lodge and they agreed to kick in an extra $1,000 to the Sons’ hygiene kit fund.