Girl Scouts put their hearts into cosmetic collection drive

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Lake Forest Girl Scouts Kari Myers, (from left) Meredith & Mallory Gregory, Lake County Cares Executive Director Nini Lustig, and Lake Forest Girl Scouts Katie Constantine and Elizabeth Moorman. | Suzanne Myers~For Sun-Times Media

Lake Forest’s Girl Scout Troop 40980 is partnering with Lake County Cares to promote the annual Heart 2 Heart toiletry drive. The collected items will be used to create Valentine’s spa bags, which then will be donated to women in the care of the following Lake County agencies: A Safe Place, the Lake County Haven, Women’s Residential Services, Northern Illinois Counseling on Alcoholism Substance Abuse, PADS Lake County (Providing Advocacy Dignity and Shelter), the Holy Family Food Pantry and the Zacharias Center.

The Scouts are collecting hotel-size soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, cotton swabs, cotton balls, nail polish, nail polish remover, cosmetic samples and slippers. They will be collecting these items all month.

Drop-off locations include all Lake Forest Bank branches and the Lake County Cares office located in Lake Forest’s Gorton Community Center.

Lake County Cares is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals find the right volunteer opportunities. The goal of Lake County Cares is to help people find a positive and productive volunteer experience that matches both their interests and desired time commitment.

The mission of Lake County Care’s Heart 2 Heart outreach program is to provide some small relief to women in crisis. Since 2007, Lake County Cares has assembled and delivered more than 750 personal hygiene kits for women in the care of Lake County agencies.

This toiletry and cosmetic collection will culminate with a mother-daughter community service event at the Gorton Community Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 3. Attendees will assemble the spa bags from donated items and make handmade Valentines to include with each bag. Girl Scout Troop 40980 will help with this program to earn its Silver Award.

Nini Lustig, executive director of Lake County Cares, said, “These six Girl Scouts have zeroed in on the needs of women in transition as the community they want to support. The women who will be on the receiving end of their work are either victims of domestic violence, currently homeless with children, in recovery for addiction or victims of sexual assault. The cadets’ efforts will not only improve 300 women’s quality of life [by fulfilling basic hygiene needs] ­— but it will offer a message of compassion and hope on Valentine’s Day to women in need – from women of all ages.”

“We’ve done this program for five years, and this year it’s bound to be the largest donation drive ever – with all Lake Forest Bank locations serving as drop-off sites and this dedicated troop of Girl Scouts leading the way, bringing an enthusiasm and energy that’s contagious! They are truly ready for some ‘heart work,’ and I’m proud to serve as their advisor in achieving the Silver Award,” Lustig said.

Information on Lake County Cares and the Heart 2 Heart program can be found at lakecountycares.org.