MONROE — While with her parents to drop off her older sister at College of Mount St. Vincent in New York City, Albany seventh-grader Skye McDermott was unnerved when she saw homeless adults and children her own age walking around without socks or shoes.
McDermott knew she wanted to make a difference.
“I felt sorry for them because there’s so many people that take things for granted,” McDermott said. “When I see them, I want to help.”
Since her first trip to the Bronx, McKenna has spent the last year collecting personal hygiene items and has donated about 350 bags to the homeless in downtown Manhattan as well as the House of Mercy Homeless Shelter in Janesville.
McDermott, a member of Girl Scout Troop 3253 in Albany and a middle-schooler at JC McKenna Middle School in Evansville, decided to make her donation effort a part of her scout silver award, which requires 50 hours of volunteer work.
Her mother Renee said her daughter has dedicated more than 250 hours gathering supplies.
McDermott just finished collecting enough supplies for 100 more bags to donate to United Way of Green County, a nonprofit in Monroe that focuses on creating positive changes in the community. McDermott, along with her parents, Renee and Dan, dropped off the supplies to United Way Nov. 7.
“It feels very great that I can give back and people actually use it,” McDermott said.
A large portion of the supplies came from standing outside Walmart in Monroe and handing people lists of needed items. There were times she stood outside for up to six hours to continue her mission.
Susie Speer, executive director of United Way of Green County, was thrilled when McDermott approached the organization with an offer of donations.
“I was really impressed by Skye’s work and her enthusiasm and her willingness to put in all this time to help people,” Speer said. “I’m really excited about the opportunity for the community that she’s provided.”
McDermott also made signs and posted a video on Facebook promoting the cause. She wrote letters to local businesses asking for donations and said she received positive responses.
The care packages for United Way included personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, soap, lip balm, first-aid kits and also included knit and crocheted hats made by her grandmother, Debbie Tetzlaff of Arena, and her friends.
Speer gave McDermott and her parents T-shirts with United Way’s global message “Live United,” and explained the meaning behind it.
“The idea of living united isn’t just giving to the United Way, but that everybody has the ability to help in their community,” Speer said. “And if everyone reaches out and finds a way, then our community is a better place for everyone.”
