Residents in Trout Creek are taking part in a worldwide effort to support girls and women by providing reusable feminine hygiene products. The group sews products for Days for Girls International, an organization founded by Celeste Mergens.

According to Mergens, "While in Kenya in 2008, I was working with an orphanage with approximately 1,400 children, most of them young girls. During the night, I awoke with a nagging question, 'What are these girls doing for feminine hygiene?' Seeking an answer, I sent an email to the Assistant Director of the orphanage, who replied, 'Nothing. They wait in their rooms.'"

Mergens learned that the girls were sitting on cardboard for several days each month, often going without food or nourishment. Girls missed school during their monthly cycle. Many were shunned and disrespected during this time. Mergens set into motion her first idea – disposable pads, but quickly found that without any place to dispose of the pads, this idea was neither viable, nor sustainable. Out of this realization, she created a washable, reusable, long-lasting pad. With this revelation, Mergens created daysforgirls.org, a non-profit organization whose mission statement is simply, 'Every Girl. Everywhere. Period.'

In October 2017, a group of women met at the home of Mary Reed in Trout Creek. The purpose was to create a working group to produce the Days for Girls reusable products supporting girls and women all over the world during their monthly cycle. The group is simply called Days for Girls – Trout Creek. Its mission is to provide freedom and opportunity to girls and women around the world. The vision is to break the silence surrounding menstruation by changing the narrative from shame and embarrassment to one of dignity and celebration.

Days for Girls – Trout Creek is sewing reusable, washable kits for girls and women that will allow them to continue with school and other activities during their monthly cycle. There are strict guidelines to the colors and types of fabrics used and all of the group's end products are subject to quality control. Days for Girls- Trout Creek has a missionary connection in Guatemala, so they are currently sending the completed kits there, since they are in need, but they can be sent anywhere in the world.

The Days for Girls – Trout Creek kits are hand-sewn, using a standard sewing machine or serger. Member Debb McNary said people do not need to know how to use these machines to participate, as there are many steps involved in completing a single kit, which does not require sewing knowledge. Some of these steps are cutting fabric, hand-turning, placing snaps on shields, ironing, putting kits together, attaching ribbon to the cloth bags that hold the kits, plus so many other small steps that require many hands.

Each kit includes two waterproof shields, eight absorbent liners (these are sewn by the group); two washcloths, two pairs of underpants (these are store-bought), plus two small bars of soap, and two one-gallon resealable plastic bags. "How to Use" instructions are also included. All of these are placed inside a colorful, drawstring cloth bag, which can also be used as a backpack.

To date, the Trout Creek group has completed approximately 150 kits. "We average about 15 completed kits per gathering," McNary said. The kits are boxed up and sent to a shipping container, which delivers them to our missionary friends in Guatemala. "We have heard back from several of our recipients, they are so happy and proud to receive the tools to carry on their lives with dignity and respect."

Days for Girls – Trout Creek accepts the following donations: small bars of soap (motel size, still in wrapping), wash cloths (small cotton cloths, solid colors only, no design), girls and women's cotton underwear (in a range of sizes, solid colors only), gallon-size resealable plastic bags, or any monetary donation. The group also accepts fabric, but there are guidelines to what types of fabric can be used, so McNary asked people to call if they have fabric they would like to donate. McNary said that donations are tax-deductible.

Days for Girls – Trout Creek meets once a month, always on the third Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Trout Creek Community Church, 11 Larch Street. The group has eight members, each with their own specific talent. "We'd like to have you come join us, or just visit to see what it is we do," McNary said. "You do not have to commit to being there each month, just show up at your convenience. You can bring your own machine, serger, iron or ironing board, or just your curiosity and time."

For more information or to join the group, visit daysforgirls.org or contact Mary Reed at (406) 544-2792, Debb McNary at (406) 827-3227 or Cookie Arrants at (406) 827-4040.