Radow College Celebrates Fourth Annual Donation Drive with a New Record
KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 4, 2026
The Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to announce a record-breaking number of donations received for the college’s annual 365 Days of Learning and Service Toiletry Drive, coordinated by Michael Chen, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Student Success and Engagement.
During the month of February, Radow College students, faculty, and staff were invited to donate travel-sized toiletry items at each of Radow College’s main department offices. The final tally revealed a 68 percent increase in donated items. That resulted in the assembly of 130 hygiene kits for donation to support the United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) “Shoebox Project.”
“This year marks the fourth year of our partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta. Radow College's donations grew steadily, from under 1,000 items to over 2,100 items,” Chen said. “Donated items are given out at shelters across the metro Atlanta area, benefitting the community.”
UWGA estimates that every night, approximately 3,000 people throughout the metro are unhoused and lack access to basic hygiene products. A fact sheet from the organization explains that “lack of hygiene increases the risk of preventable illness, creates barriers to employment and housing, and undermines personal dignity.” Nicole Lawson Doll, vice president of regional operations for United Way of Greater Atlanta and a Kennesaw State University alumna, said the kits assembled by Radow College volunteers will have a real impact.
“This work here is going to support our partners who are working with children and adults who are housing insecure, so [they] do not have a stable place to lay their heads at night,” Lawson Doll said. “The great thing is too; the variety you all have provided will serve anyone.”
Lawson Doll said commonly requested donations include feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and socks. The kits assembled by Radow College volunteers included all those items. Radow College Dean Catherine Kaukinen said she is excited to see the college’s increased impact, continued service, and support of Kennesaw State University’s strategic goal to “Enhance and Inspire Our Community” through this initiative
“This is dear to my heart. I believe that as a university, as students, as faculty, and as staff, it is our job to contribute positively to the social, economic, cultural, and overall health of our communities,” Kaukinen said. “We’ve set the bar for next year, and I have no doubt we’ll once again rise to the occasion.”
Radow College’s 365 Days of Learning & Service initiative aims to educate students, faculty, and staff on societal issues through events, like the Toiletry Drive, which foster empathy and understanding. Jayla Searcy, a senior criminal justice major and Radow College student ambassador, volunteered to participate in the service opportunity by assembling the hygiene kits for donation to UWGA.
“While it might not seem like such a big deal to us to get toothbrushes, toothpaste, and all that other stuff, this could change the trajectory of somebody’s... year,” Searcy said.
Story and photos by Noelle Lashley
