Twin sisters who attend school in the Northern Lehigh School District have created survival bags for the homeless.

Northern Lehigh Middle School eighth-graders Skyelar and Dakotah Horack, 14, of Washington Township, said it took them about a month to put everything together in conjunction with Denise “Neice Eie” Martinez, founder/CEO/President, of Caring Hearts Inc., a nonprofit group.

“We first created a list of items that are needed everyday and usually taken for granted,” Skyelar said. “Then we contacted several businesses to see if they would help us with donating items. We also went shopping together at many different stores to purchase items we didn’t have.

“We also found out that among the homeless population, there was a pit bull named ‘Blue.’ That got us thinking about doing something for Blue too, So, Peaceable Kingdom donated dog food, treats, toys, jackets and other items.”

The twins put together 20 convenience bags, 10 designated for men, and the other 10 for women, which included personal hygiene products, toothpaste, toothbrush, hand warmers, masks, ponchos, various snacks, socks, batteries, personal knitted scarves, body washes, shampoos, hair conditioners, hand sanitizers, hair products, feminine products, sanitizing wipes, deodorants and all were placed in reusable canvas bags.

“When we dropped off our bags … and observed how happy Denise was, it made all the difference,” Skyelar said. “We also realized that folks really have a lot of basic needs that we all don’t even think about. It was fun learning that there are a lot of people who are willing to give their time to help others.”

Skyelar is involved with the National Junior Honor Society and needed to fulfill 15 hours to complete her service hours.

After discussion with her sister, Dakotah came up with the idea of doing a service project to help the homeless in the community by creating convenience bags filled with everyday needs.

“We are very close to our Grammy, Joanne Kern, and knew that she would help support our efforts,” Skyelar said. “Our Grammy volunteers for the animal rescue shelter Peaceable Kingdom, and might have some contacts to help us. She also knew about the Caring Hearts Program that is run by Mrs. Denise Martinez.”

Skyelar said, “The original goal was to complete service hours for my school club, but after doing this with my sister and Grammy, I found out more importantly, we really wanted to make a difference in our community,” Skyelar said.

The twins thanked many people for their help, including their grandmother Joanne Kern, who knitted scarves and took them shopping, as well as their aunt Lisa Kern-Schrantz, a dental hygienist for Tran Dental, who donated all the dental supplies. Rose Lesher, owner of Country Inn and Suites in Lehighton, donated bath and hygiene supplies.

“Even though we are all going through some rough times during the pandemic, we can all still make a difference in others’ lives, too,” Dakotah said.

Martinez said she was grateful to the twins for reaching out to her.

“I was super proud of them for wanting to do this because it’s so important; a lot of youth don’t understand what it means to be less fortunate,” Martinez said. “I was super proud of them when they called to do this.”

Martinez said the bags were distributed to people in need at Caring Hearts Closet, 1341 Linden St., Allentown.

Caring Hearts Closet gives away clothing and household items. There are no price tags on anything, as everything is by donation only.

“Although we cater to those less fortunate, homeless and veterans, we are open to all,” Martinez said. “We are also accepting (spring/summer) clothing for men, women, children, infants and donations, and small household items.”

Martinez added they are creating a Caring Hearts Youth Group.

For more information on Caring Hearts, visit caringdamhearts.org, email caringdamhearts@gmail.com, call 484-240-9774, or visit their Facebook pages caringdamhearts, and caringheartscloset.