East Leyden sends supplies to hurricane victims in Texas

Members of East Leyden's Operation Snowball Club collected items such as bleach, diapers and shampoo for people who were affected by the hurricanes that devastated Texas.

Dubbed "Fill 4 Texas," the drive garnered 400 amenity kits from the Rotary Club of O'Hare; 10 cases of water, gloves and garbage bags; baby formula and hygiene supplies; and dog biscuits and paper towels.

Club members spread the word at the Franklin Fall Festival parade held in early October.

"As we walked the parade route, we passed out candy to the kids and fliers to the adults asking that they donate supplies," says Patricia Muldoon, club sponsor.

People were asked bring their donations to East Leyden's parking lot the following Saturday.

"We successfully reached our goal and filled the truck," Muldoon says. "We also collected over $100 from people who saw us in the parking lot and stopped to donate cash."

A few days later, Muldoon took the supplies to the Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center in Chicago. Volunteers delivered the supplies to people in Texas the following weekend.

Operation Snowball is an international alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention program that empowers youth to lead drug-free lives. The name originates from the idea that having a positive impact can "snowball" into positive results for individuals and the community.

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