GIRL SCOUTS REACH OUT TO CHILDREN OF ADDICTS

Two years ago, Leigh Ann Nicholson and Nakita Meeks, both 18,
attended the Governor's Tennessee Youth Drug Task Force and watched
as former meth users told their stories about the drug destroying
their family life.

After hearing the daughter of an ex-methamphetamine user tell about
how she was ripped from her home, Nicholson and Meeks decided to reach
out to other children in the same situation.

"It really touched me and Nakita to hear her talk about being taken
away from her home with nothing and taken away from her mother that
long," Nicholson said.

"We just felt we could help those children taken away from their homes
to find some kind of comfort."

That's when the idea of Hope Packs began.

Hope Packs are backpacks stocked with necessities a child taken from
home because of a parent's drug addiction may need.

Since the Hope Packs project began two years ago, it has expanded to
help men, women and children of all ages deal with distressing situations.

Little girls' backpacks are filled with necessities such as
hairbrushes, hair ties, tooth brush and toothpaste and other goodies
such as a teddy bear, coloring book and toy.

Older teenage girls may find feminine products, shaving cream, razors,
and things such as a journal to write their feelings down.

Each pack is gender- and- age-appropriate and each back pack is
high-quality, so it can be reused for school. Ted Denny, spokesman for
the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, along with an agent from the
Task Force, accepted more than 10 Hope Packs from Nicholson to be used
at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

"We deal with a lot of families," Sgt. Jesse Reynolds said. "With a
meth lab, if it's inside it'll damage everything. This will get them
through the night and give them a little comfort and help them feel a
little better about themselves."

The two teens used the opportunity to help the community and fulfill a
goal: to get the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a scout can
get.

Nicholson and Meeks exceeded the expected volunteer hours with this
project and earned all four merit badges, said Rae Ann Nicholson,
Leigh Ann's mom and troop leader.

In the first round, 65 backpacks were packed and as people in the
community heard about the efforts donations poured in.

The Kiwanis Club funded the effort and people at Gum Springs Baptist
Church and Trane began to donate goods.

"It turned out to be a community effort," Rae Ann Nicholson
said.

Receiving things for adults such as colognes and perfume made the
project expand and soon Hope Packs were available at mens' shelters
and safe houses.

The wash cloths, soap, shampoos and conditioner, socks and other
personal items found in Hope Packs are found to help people deal with
situations where they may have nothing.

"I'm moved by these young girls' heart and compassion for people who
are hurting," Denny said. "As young as they are it's
remarkable."

Meeks and Nicholson have started their second round of backpacks and
have packed a total of about 110 Hope Packs so far.

They said they hope the project continues to grow and the community
helps them provide Hope Packs for the many children displaced because
of their parent's drug addiction.

"I'm excited we were able to do this for kids who are away from their
parents," Nicholson said.

"If their parents are drug addicts they sometimes lose respect for
them and for their own self image. I hope it makes them feel better
and gives them hope for their future."