Thanks to a new School of Discovery club, several community residents that might have had to endure the cold weather without the proper attire will now be a little warmer this winter.

The Genesis Girls Club, a group of 12 School of Discovery students, dedicated to being great leaders at school and in the Selma area, recently held a Sock, Jacket and Toy Drive. All items were given to New Hope Apostolic Church and Gospel Tabernacle Church.

“People are always giving to the children,” School of Discovery principal Jacqueline Walker said. “This lets the children know how to give back, so they can start this young.”

The socks and jackets are meant to protect people from the cold weather and the toys are meant for children whose families can’t afford them.

Members of the group, which was created School of Discovery counselor Keisha Smith, are encouraged to mentioned community service ideas to the rest of the group to vote on whether or not the whole group will get involved.

When a Genesis Girls Club member mentioned the Jacket and Toy Drive at New Hope Apostolic Church and Smith mentioned the Sock drive at Gospel Tabernacle Church, the whole group decided to combine the two and have a Sock, Jacket and Toy Drive at their school.

“Our focus it to mentor to them and teach them how to be young ladies. And while being young ladies, be a leader here at the school,” Smith said.

She said the chance to give to the community would benefit them as well as those getting the donated items.

“It tends to make, not only young girls but also guys, or anybody feel good when they seem like they are a part of something,” Smith said.

Anyone interested in also donating to the churches, can take their donated items directly to the churches. New Hope Apostolic Church is accepting toys and jackets, while Gospel Tabernacle Church is accepting and socks.