ST. LOUIS – The Barack Obama Elementary Student Council hosted a hygiene drive today, collecting over 700 essential items for Gateway 180, a shelter supporting unhoused individuals in the St. Louis area.

“I started to think about all my steps in the morning,” said Jai’lee Woods, president of the Student Council. “I was thinking about how most people don’t have these hygiene products.”

Students encouraged staff, classmates and family members to donate essential care items such as soap, lotion, toothpaste, wipes and other toiletries.

School leaders expressed hope that the student-initiated program can continue for years to come, fostering community support and engagement.

“They are awesome,” said Deanne Ward, a teacher at the Barack Obama Elementary school. “They have shown throughout the year amazing leadership skills, initiative, organization and communication skills with their peers, as well as teachers and other staff members. They’ve shown that they are leaders within this building.”

The successful initiative spearheaded by students highlights the proactive efforts to address needs in the St. Louis area.