On January 23, my friend Eesha Bandaru and I decided to organize a toiletry and hygiene collection drive. With this said, we identified 3 homeless shelters that we would like to work with during this opportunity. We decided to contact Shelter Inc (located in Arlington Heights), St Mary Pads Homeless Shelter (located in Des Plains), and Connections for the Homeless- Hilda's Place (located in Evanston). Later, we reached out to Zoey, from Shelter Inc. and she was so amazing and optimistic to work with us! During our conversation, we discussed items needed for the drive and got her email to keep in contact. We planned our collection drive the next following week and promoted our collection drive on social media by creating numerous virtual posters. Along with making a virtual poster, we also made a regular poster to hold up at our collection drive on Tuesday. On February 9th, we decided to hold our collection drive at our local supermarket, Sunset Foods. With this said, we collected paper towels, pads, tampons, tissues, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, razors, hand sanitizer/wipes, baby wipes, diapers, and a few other food items. While sitting at the store, we formed a few connections with individuals who have lost their homes and who were very appreciative of what we were doing for the people at this shelter. I believe that our ability to organize a drive and raise toiletry/hygiene products during strenuous times like these is essential to many individuals. As of result, I gained the ability to influence and to be more self-aware of individuals who are less fortunate. In a way, it’s kind of unreal how so many people struggle to have access to such basic necessities that we wouldn’t even think twice about needing. I hope that we will be able to influence and impact the lives of others through these products because hygiene is important to every human being, and everyone should be able to have access to such necessities.