West Bend student hosts jean drive to help homeless teens

WEST BEND (WITI) -- Just about every student at West Bend West High School owns a pair of jeans, but not everyone is that lucky.

"With over one million homeless teens and youth in the United States, that's something they commonly ask for is just a pair of jeans to help them feel normal, to help them feel like they're a part of something," said West Bend West senior Amanda Kasten.

This inspired Kasten to make a difference.

"It's just wonderful to see and how sweet she is and how she wants to help people and that's her on a daily basis not just for charity week," said West Bend East and West High School Assistant Principal Dave Uelmen.

She learned about the program Teens for Jeans powered by Aeropostale.

"Jeans are something I think everyone kind of takes for granted and to think that you can just give a pair jeans that maybe you don't wear anymore and you can help somebody out that was really exciting to me," said Kasten.

Kasten is asking everyone to donate gently used jeans, which will be given to homeless youth in the community.

She's also tying in her effort to the school's charity week.

"People donate to one charity everyday, our kids here do and our staff is great with it as well and then we have corporate matches for each charity," said Uelmen.

Although Kasten is graduating in the spring she is hoping this can become an annual tradition.

"I'm kind of in the process of convincing my little sister to take it on next year," said Kasten.

If you're interested in helping the cause you can drop off a pair of jeans at any West Bend School or the district office through Friday.

If you'd like to set up your own jeans drive, CLICK HERE.

When signing up for Teens for Jeans you have a chance to enter to win money for your school, scholarships, or a performance by The Vamps at your school. The drive ends on February 15th.