A local girl scout troop is doing its part to provide relief to victims of storms that devastated much of the South last week.  The eleven scouts of Winder's Daisy Troop 11809 have coordinated a community-wide effort between 3 counties to collect much-needed supplies for affected families.

'The Girl Scouts has a system of volunteers already in place, and inquiries generated a lot of response in a hurry," Troop leader Dawn Johnson said.

Drop-off locations include the Oconee County Sheriff's Office, the Northeast Georgia Girl Scouts service office located at 185 Newton Bridge in Athens (Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.), and the Winder City Fire Department in Barrow County.

Additional drop-off points will be announced on the Troop's Facebook Page.

Here is a list of items needed:

• Bottled water
• Paper towels
• Batteries
• Toilet paper
• Hygiene supplies
• Socks
• Underwear
• Packaged foods (pop tarts, crackers, pop top cans, etc.)

Pet supplies such as litter, food, leashes, and bedding are also needed, and a collection will be taken at Pawtropolis on Mondays through Fridays from  7 a.m. - 8 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.

As long as donations are being made, collections will continue, Johnson said.

The troop is also in the process of organizing a Red Cross blood drive to take place within the next month, she said.  Updates will be posted on Facebook.

As time passes,  leaders will reach out to troops from disaster areas to assist with ceremonies and other Girl Scouts-related activities, Johnson said.

"These aren't priorities, but would help the kids in those places feel like things are getting back to normal," she said.

For more information or if you have other questions, send an email to troop11809@gmail.com.