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Hey Boosters, if you’re looking to make sense of all the news recently, here’s a breakdown of the protests and unrest since the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

After that, keep scrolling for some good news and inspiring stories. Meet the DoSomething members making an impact for students affected by COVID-19, and learn how you can too.

Let’s Do This,
Ben

Healthy Students Make Better Learners: Meet The Young People Donating Personal Care Items For Back-to-School

These DoSomething members are supporting their peers in the classroom and beyond.

By Jackie Menjivar

Black and Latinx Americans are twice as likely to contract COVID-19 as white Americans, and are twice as likely to report job loss due to the pandemic. This makes it especially difficult to afford crucial products for health this back-to-school season.

The color of your skin or your family’s income shouldn’t determine your well-being, and healthy students are better learners. That’s why DoSomething members are collecting personal care and cleaning items to help students stay healthy and perform their best in school this fall through DoSomething’s Healthier Us campaign, powered by CVS Pharmacy.

Here are some young people making a difference in their communities -- one bag of donations at a time!

1) Leia, 18

“I learned that hygiene plays a role in academic performance. If these children from low-income households cannot get their hands on these products necessary to live a healthy lifestyle, their learning will be limited. This campaign gave me the opportunity to give these kids a fresh start to the school year with some hygienic products.”

2) Julissa, 19

“I live in a small town called La Villa, Texas and the community is mostly Latino with low income families. COVID has struck our little town. This is important to me because I can help a fellow student from my community stay safe and healthy.”

3) Alyssa, 17

“Over the years, I have volunteered at Boys and Girls Club, and I see how impactful it is to provide supplies to kids with necessities that others might have easier access to. I’m a strong believer that a small act of kindness can go a very long way, especially towards others in these tough times.”

4) Anthony, 17

“My family has struggled most of my life, living paycheck to paycheck and these experiences have helped teach me the importance of helping others, as at one point in my life I too needed that same help. So i think it's very important to give back to those struggling, to hopefully create a better world (especially in these hard times).”

5) Alejandro, 21

"This campaign is very important to me not only because I'm a healthcare worker but because I tested positive for COVID-19 and know how it feels to be sick and in quarantine. Thankfully I had family that could drop off essential things like food and personal care items. Unfortunately there's people out there that don't have that family support or can't afford it...Therefore it is time for those who have not been affected greatly by COVID-19 to step up and help those who are less fortunate.”

Help Students Stay Healthy and Perform Their Best in School

Learn how to collect and donate through DoSomething’s Healthier Us campaign.

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