Bill (back left) and Holly Worsley with their kids Hollins, 14, (right) holding Dillon, 1; Will, 11; and Campbell, 7. (David Boraks photo)

What do you get when you mix a toilet and Christmas trees? Toilet-trees (or toiletries) of course. It’s a terrible pun, we know, but what better way to spread the word about a holiday drive to collect needed personal items for the less fortunate among us?

Thank the Worsley family of South Street for both the pun and the idea. “We were joking and saying, ‘How do you politely say you need toiletries?’” Holly Worsley said Wednesday.

Since the Worsley’s began organizing the drive, others have joined in to help. Davidson Elementary School asked parents in a automated phone call Wednesday afternoon to send items to school with their kids, and the school’s PTA sent an email with the same message. And Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream on Main Street has agreed to be an alternate drop-off point.

Now it’s your turn to help: On Thursday and Friday mornings during school drop-off time at nearby Davidson Elementary School, Ms. Worsley, her husband Bill and their children will be out in front of their house, at 518 South St., collecting donations of toiletries to be distributed to needy families through the Ada Jenkins Center. (Items also may be dropped off at the school.)

Needed are household items such as soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, tooth brushes, feminine products, baby diapers, etc. They’ll also collect donations if  passersby would rather give money than household items.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when Bill and Holly Worsley and their kids were  looking around for a way to give a little something back this holiday season.

“Our whole family wanted us to do something because Christmas isn’t just about receiving, it’s about giving back,” said 14-year-old Hollins Worsely, who along with her siblings is home-schooled.

They called Ada Jenkins Center director Georgia Krueger and learned that one of the biggest needs are toiletries and other household items.  They decided to stage the “Toilet-Trees” event at their South Street home, because so many cars pass by there every day on the way to and from Davidson Elementary and Davidson IB Middle schools, Hollins said.

They’ll be out next to the car line Thursday morning collecting supplies and handing out fliers to those who might not have heard about the drive. Then they’ll be back Friday to continue collecting.  Drivers also may leave their donations at Davidson Elementary School along with their children.

Davidson Elementary School was helping to spread the word about the drive Wednesday evening via an automated phone call to parents. The call did not mention the Worsley family’s “Toilet-Trees” effort by name, but said items may be sent to  school with children.

WANT TO HELP?

Drop off items at the Worsley home or at Davidson Elementary School as you drive to school Thursday or Friday. Items also may be dropped off any time during the two days at the family home, 518 South St., or at Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on Main Street.