Girl Scout Helps Homeless With a Personal Touch

Bojana Zdraljevic fled with her family to the United States in 1991, only days before civil war broke out in Yugoslavia.

Soon after her arrival here, Zdraljevic joined the Girl Scouts, and became part of a nurturing group that is to her like a “second family.”

Now 18 and a senior at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, she is president of her troop and working to complete requirements for a Gold Award, Girl Scouting’s highest honor achieved by community service.

For her project, Zdraljevic said she wanted to do something for the homeless because she was once homeless herself.

Rather than serve food or collect blankets, Zdraljevic came up with a different idea.

“Everyone uses toiletries,” she said, “but no one ever thinks about the homeless needing them too.”

Zdraljevic distributed about 150 toiletry kits to the homeless Wednesday at the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving banquet in Panorama City.

“She really has a soft spot for people who don’t have the necessities,” said troop leader Lois Young. “She feels so bad for people who don’t have what she has.”

Last month, Zdraljevic approached managers at the Hilton Woodland Hills and asked them to donate personal-size bottles of shampoo and lotion. She also asked other Girl Scout troops to get involved.

Soon, Zdraljevic found herself awash in toiletries. Her bedroom in the Reseda apartment she shares with her parents and two younger brothers was filled with soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sewing kits, shaving cream, disposable razors and deodorant.

Zdraljevic said she spent hours sorting through the items, placing them in shopping bags donated by Robinsons-May and Macy’s and then loading them into boxes contributed by U-Haul.

In addition, Zdraljevic collected stuffed toys to give to homeless children.

“This will really help the homeless because they don’t have the money to go out and buy toiletries,” said Gail Ferber, volunteer coordinator for the Rescue Mission.

“Homeless people often go into gas station and bus station restrooms to shampoo their hair or brush their teeth,” she added. “This gives them the bare essentials to maintain some sort of health standard.”

Sava Zdraljevic, Bojana’s father, said he was proud of his daughter’s efforts.

“It’s a great project, especially coming from someone who experienced a tough beginning,” he said.

The hard times began in 1991 when the family fled Yugoslavia in the days leading up to the civil conflict there. They first came to Glendale, where family of Sava’s American-born wife, Mary Beth, had an apartment.

Arriving with only the clothes on their backs, the family began to rebuild their life. Sava Zdraljevic said his daughter’s desire to help the underprivileged is rooted in that experience.

For Bojana Zdraljevic, extending a hand to others is her way of repaying the help she once received.

“I know it’s not a big thing,” she said. “I don’t expect them to give me a parade. It’s something, and I hope it’s appreciated.”