LONGVIEW – Scouts from the Chinook District Boy Scouts of America will collect gently used clothing and household items for Goodwill starting March 7 as part of Good Turn Day.

The collection effort, which has been going on for more than 45 years, helps support Longview Goodwill’s job training and placement programs. Nearly 4,000 bags of items were collected last year from the effort of scouts. Scouts earn a merit badge for the work and gain the benefit of knowing they’re helping others.

“We are thankful for the support of the scouts,” said Pam Yanez, Longview Store manager. “Donations are the cornerstone of our mission to change lives by helping people with disabilities or disadvantages go to work.”

The program works like this: On Feb. 28, scouts will distribute bags to neighborhoods across Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Toutle, Kalama, Woodland, Cathlamet, Skamokawa, Rainier and Clatskanie. On March 7, scouts will collect the bags and bring them to the store, 1030 14th Ave., starting at 8 a.m. More than 5,000 bags will be distributed.

Donors can leave bags near the front door of their home to be picked up by scouts. Additional donations may be in bags or boxes marked clearly for the Boy Scout-Goodwill drive. Extra staff will be on hand at the Longview Goodwill store to help unload the donations.