Table of Toothbrushes

I was fortunate to take part in the Westside Thanksgiving Celebration an inter-faith group that hosts one of the largest Thanksgiving Day events in Southern California. Last year over 2,100 meals were served by over 1,200 volunteers.  In addition to a hearty Thanksgiving meal, guests (students, low income families, seniors, and those who are homeless) receive hygiene kits, clothes, shoes, haircuts, blankets, basic medical consultation, and even have their portrait taken.


On Wednesday night, in preparation for Thursday's celebration, I went to the Santa Monica Civic Center to help set-up for the event. I was one of hundreds of volunteers. While there was much hustle and bustle in preparation for the celebration, I was placed in a group to help put together hygiene kits - at the table of toothbrushes to be exact. My job: individuals would walk through the different tables to collect items for the hygiene kits and I made sure they put one toothbrush in their bag. Toothbrushes were one item in a kit that included soap, shampoo, razors, deodorent, washclothes, toothpaste, socks, lotion, and brushes.


I knew this project was a very worthy one, but once the assembly line started I was struck by how much more meaningful it became. One individual said, "this kit is for a woman." Another came by and said, "this is a blue bag, I'd like a blue toothbrush." Two others passed by and with great joy cheered, "Round 4!" to celebrate embarking on assembling their fourth kit. Children of all ages were carefully making kits with their siblings and families. One little girl, no more than 3 years old, very carefully picked exactly which toothbrush she wanted the receiver of her kit to have. While, realistically, no one knew which individual would recieve the kit the next day, the personal care they added to assembling the kit was heartwarming. They weren't just making the kit to make a hygiene kit - they were making this kit for a woman, a child, a sister or a brother.


I was also fortunate to chat with the wonderful woman who coordinates volunteers for this event and who is also the person that makes rounds to the local schools and organizations who donate items for hygiene kits. Two stories she shared that gave me goosebumps. She says that year after year the lowest income schools always have the most donations. Without fail, these schools have hallways of boxes full of hygiene kit supplies. In one of these schools, she was approached by a little girl who handed her a pink blanket and asked that she be able to donate it to someone who would need it. She told that child that she'd save it for the perfect little girl that should receive this very special blanket. The next day, at the Westside Thanksgiving Celebration, this student, who so lovingly donated her blanket the day before, stood in line to receive her Thanksgiving meal with her family.


I'm very thankful for many things - one of those being the lessons that came from this table full of toothbrushes.