CANTON – For the third year in a row, Colton-Pierrepont Central School student Ashley McKinley, has chosen to help children in foster care in St. Lawrence County.

As a junior this year, Ashley’s focus was on teenage girls in foster care, and once again she and her Aunt Sue Dean got busy designing and sewing 33 bags for Ashley’s “My Body, My Bag” service project. The colorful bags are each uniquely designed and filled with self-care items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, hair bands, nail polish, and hygiene products.

Ashley asked family members, neighbors, and teachers to purchase the products for one bag in order to fill the beautifully sewn bags. The most important thing in the bag came from Ashley herself, as she placed a note in each bag encouraging the girls to have a good year and to celebrate body positivity.

When asked about her project this year, Ashley said, “I would like every teenage girl in foster care to feel she has the same products that you and I would be able to buy to feel clean and ready to face the day.”

“Ashley demonstrates the very best in the next generation growing up in St. Lawrence County. The bears she shared in 2021 brought comfort to children and this year she has added a practical side to how she is helping. These care products and bags to share continue to show how thoughtful Ashley is and willing to make a difference in the lives of children,” County Administrator Ruth Doyle commented.