CULLMAN, Ala. – Jordan’s Junk Drawer is a fundraising drive to collect sensory items for those of all ages who are in need. It was inspired by a tour of Cullman Regional when Dr. Rebekah Lloyd noticed a lack of sensory items in the behavioral unit.
In announcing the project on Facebook, Lloyd wrote:
“As part of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center’s Adult Leadership Cullman County program, my team and I are proud to introduce a project close to my heart—Jordan’s Junk Drawer.
“The inspiration for this project began during tours of local organizations, where my team identified gaps in resources for individuals needing comfort, sensory support, and emotional regulation tools. As we dug deeper, we realized these needs extended beyond hospital clinics to local schools and psychiatric care facilities across our community.
“But the true heart of this project? It comes from my own experience as a parent. The name ‘Jordan’s Junk Drawer’ is personal — reflecting the everyday tools and little treasures I’ve gathered to meet my children’s unique needs, as well as how my kiddos usually store them. Like that drawer many of us have at home, filled with items that serve a purpose when you least expect it, this project aims to provide essential items that can make a big difference in someone’s moment of need.
“Stay tuned as we share more about how Jordan’s Junk Drawer will support our community, one meaningful item at a time.”
The team hopes to expand beyond the hospital and, hopefully, to schools across Cullman County.
Forty sensory kits will be assembled and distributed to schools and hospitals based on the level of need for each place to help children and patients who experience sensory overload. The most requested items to be collected are fidget toys like Poppits or fidget spinners, textile items, sunglasses to reduce visual overstimulation and earplugs and noise-canceling items. The plan is to distribute one sensory kit per high school, intermediate, elementary and primary school, as well as to four designated locations at Cullman Regional. Monetary donations are being collected at Peoples Bank and Merchants Bank (deposit: DBA Jordan’s Junk Drawer), and through Venmo, Cash App and Amazon (see QR codes located on the promotional flyer).
Llyod and her team are striving to ensure that those with sensory needs in our community have what they need. Team member Hope Gulledge expressed her enthusiasm for working on the project, saying, “I am fortunate to be working with these amazing ladies on our project for the Adult Chamber Leadership. I am excited to help bring these sensory items to children and adults alike when they are needed. It is a wonderful project that will make a helpful impact within our community.”
For Kayla Beckham, another team member, the project took on a deeper meaning. “At first, I didn’t feel much connection to the project. However, as I began sharing it, I started hearing stories from others and realized how many people relate to the experience. It became clear that being on the spectrum is more common than I initially thought.”
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