Schoolkids donate toothbrushes galore

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Christmas spirit is that it's better to give than receive -- especially when it's Christmas in May.

A number of RidgeView Elementary students from Sparta came to WOOD TV8 Tuesday for a Weather Experience, and when they came, they brought with them toothbrushes they donated to our Christmas in May campaign.

The campaign is to collect eight items food pantries don't often stock and that food stamps can't buy -- toothbrushes and toothpaste, laundry and dish soap, deodorant and bar soap, shampoo and conditioner, diapers and toilet paper.

A number of drop-off locations throughout West Michigan will accept the donations through May 19. On May 20, we'll deliver everything we collect to area pantries.

But there's an internal competition going on at WOOD TV8, as well.

Various employee teams are working to out-collect each other in a friendly way. Each day, teams are focusing on a specific item. In order, the teams will look to collect laundry/dish soap, deodorant/bar soap, shampoo and conditioner, diapers and toilet paper.

Tuesday, our teams collectively received more than 7,800 tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes.

If you'd like to participate, you can donate any item at any day to any drop off location, or to the WOOD TV8 lobby.