Florida Chapter – God’s Bathhouse AT&T Fun Coast

The AT&T Fun Coast Pioneers of the Florida Chapter collected shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wipes, body wash, deodorant, conditioner, and many other hygiene products to donate to God’s Bathhouse. The donations were collected at our regular meeting, with ten Fun Coast Pioneers in attendance. God’s Bathhouse is located in Volusia County where homeless people can turn to God’s Bathhouse, a non-profit organization headquartered in DeLand, FL., and receive a safe and supportive environment for people to uphold proper hygiene, address basic clothing requirements and support health maintenance. The mobile unit, a retrofitted step van, houses two complete bathrooms. The mobile shower is set up Mondays in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach and twice a month on Saturdays in the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church in DeLand. They also set up Thursday in a lot near the Shrine Club in New Smyrna. We supported God’s Bathhouse because according to Dr. Daniel Hollar, assistant dean of nursing and health sciences at Bethune-Cookman University, poor hygiene is the first sign of mental health decline. “Taking proper care of yourself leaves a positive impact on people because it’s less likely to cause social barriers due to lack of hygienic products, bathrooms and comfortable clean clothing,” said Hollar, a trained psychologist. “Hygiene has to be met with a holistic approach affecting the mind, body and spirit. God’s Bathhouse was serving an average of 30 homeless at each location. This project was chosen because of the huge help it provides for the homeless in our community.