The youth group from a local church has taken steps to ease the burden of those who face the loss of their homes or other such disaster.

"People can't imagine what it's like to lose everything," Scotland County Red Cross Executive Director Carol Ann Lentz said. "That's one reason these donations are so important."

Lentz was referring to "comfort kits", a collection of articles such as toiletries and children's toys that are distributed by the Red Cross and other agencies in the event of a disaster. The Scotland County Red Cross was getting low on such items when a local church made an unexpected donation.

"A youth group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints here in Laurinburg made over 300 comfort kits for us," Lentz said. "It was a complete surprise, but a very essential and extremely welcome gift."

Tamera Tietjen is the young women's president at the church.

"Church leaders contacted the local Red Cross, the fire department, the police department, the EMS and other agencies for our 'Day of Service' held recently, in which representatives come out to teach emergency preparedness at our church. We got the idea that it might be helpful to make these 'comfort kits' and donate them to the Red Cross."

Each of the kits is marked for men, women, or children, and contain up to 14 items including toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, razors, soap, hand sanitizer, and tissue packs. Activity books and crayons are contained in the children's kits as well.

"We are a very service oriented church," Tietjen said, "and we do a lot of work distributing food, clothes, blankets, wheelchairs and other medical supplies throughout the world. It is an honor to work with organizations such as the Red Cross."

Red Cross volunteers have stored the kits and are prepared to use them in the event of an emergency.

"We are very thankful that the church youth group was able to get these items put together for us," Lentz said. "It's very heartwarming; these kits will go a long way."