My Sweet Charity

Refresh Frisco Is Helping Children To Feel Clean and Confident Thanks To A Good Samaritan

Sep 27, 2021 9:30 AM By Jeanne Prejean Leave a Comment

Within every community needs arise that probably would have gone by the wayside if someone hadn’t picked up on the little signs. That’s exactly what happened when Liz Watkins, discovered such a situation during her years working at her children’s schools in Frisco and volunteering at the local food pantry for the past five years.

She decided that she wanted to ramp up her efforts. So, she rolled up her sleeves, earned “her Nonprofit Management Certificate, got together with Frisco ISD administration and researched the needs of our Frisco community.”

It was during this discovery period, that Liz found that children were in need for access to personal hygiene items. In 2019 she created Refresh Frisco, a 501 (c) 3 working with the school districts “to ensure that every child in our community has access to personal hygiene items.”

While that may have seemed surprising to many who consider Frisco to be among the most affluent in North Texas, the reality of job losses, family deaths, divorces and medical issues had created the situation.

For instance at the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020, Refresh Frisco reported that “13% of the FISD students were economically disadvantaged.”

While some may take such products for granted, they are necessary for “better health and prevent illness, infections and rashes from spreading. Good hygiene increases self-confidence and helps children to feel good about themselves and their appearance.”

In 2019 she created Refresh Frisco working with the school districts “to ensure that every child in our community has access to personal hygiene items.”

Liz recalled that first distribution in November 2019, “Not long after, the pandemic struck and demand for our services skyrocketed. We currently serve 800 students in Frisco ISD with new families enrolling every day. We just launched Refresh Little Elm and completed our 1^st distribution to 200 Little Elm students last month.”

Distributed quarterly, the Refresh Packs are customized based upon the child’s age and gender preference including ethic hair products, shampoo, conditioner, soap or body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, lip balm, lotion and a comb/hairbrush. Students in fifth grade and up also receive deodorant, shaving cream, and a 3-month supply of feminine hygiene products for the female students.

One parent admitted,

Finding out that my husband lost his job during this pandemic is some of the worst news I’ve ever received, especially as he is the sole provider for our family of 6. I was notified that there was an organization called Refresh Frisco and was advised that I could sign up for services through Frisco ISD. I had not heard of Refresh Frisco and in researching further learned that they are a nonprofit organization that provides hygiene items (Refresh Packs) for children. Due to my unfamiliarity, I reached out to the organization via Facebook and received an immediate response. They assisted me in everything I needed to know and made sure I received Refresh Packs for my three school aged daughters. In addition, they even added the supplies they could for my 21 month old daughter. I was absolutely amazed at this organization’s generosity. My girls received everything from shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, dental floss, Chapstick, hair brushes, to feminine products. Knowing that my girls had these items eased the stress on my family. I am so grateful for Refresh Frisco.”

If you would like to help, check here. Or, if you and your family are in need of assistance, check here.

* Graphic/photo courtesy of Refresh Frisco