Hometown Hero: Peyton Small

Peyton Small has been a Girl Scout since she was 7 years old. She's now 17 and a high school senior at Rowlett High School. She's going for her Girl Scout Gold Award and created a clothes closet to help her earn that prestigious award.

Methodist Richardson Medical Center treats people with drug and mental health problems.  There are 52 inpatient beds. Many of those patients are homeless, brought in by police or come in on their own. Very often, they only have the clothes on their backs.

Peyton's mom is a social worker at the hospital and is also Peyton's Girl Scout leader.  Her mom suggested Peyton might want to use a patient service for her Gold Award.

Peyton chose to create a clothes closet for the patients. Before, the nurses went to a small room with shirts in a pile on the floor. Peyton transformed that room into a closet with racks, and cabinets.

Then she asked her family, friends and neighbors to donate gently worn clothes and shoes and new undergarments. Peyton made an inventory chart to help the nurses keep track and she added inspirational quotes to uplift the nurses and patients.

The clothes are given away at a fast rate. If you'd like to make a donation, call 469-204-6921 and ask for Kaci Bratovich.

Peyton wants to become a nurse in a Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. In the meantime, let's wish her good luck on earning her Girl Scout Gold Award!