Students Offering Service (SOS) of Syracuse University's Hendricks Chapel is working to make this tough winter a little bit warmer though its 8th Annual Share the Warmth Blanket Drive. The collection of blankets and monetary donations will take place on the SU campus, Feb. 1-15.
Blankets will help meet the needs of local shelters and agencies including the Migrant Farmworkers Advocacy Group, the Refugee Resettlement Group of the InterReligious Council of Central New York, Vera House and Unity Kitchen, says Jennifer Barone, a senior in the College of Visual and Performing Arts who is chairing the blanket drive. Once local needs are met, any remaining funds will be given to Church World Service to help meet needs in nations including Iran and Afghanistan. Each $5 donated will buy one blanket through the Church World Service.
Barone says the collection is specifically held in February not only because it is the heart of winter, but also because of the significance of Feb. 14. "We center ourselves around Valentine's Day as a way to show our thoughts and caring for the community in which we reside and for those around the world."
According to Barone, the success of this year's program will depend on generous support from the SU and greater Syracuse communities. "As residents of the area, we can take this time to help those in our community who are not as fortunate as we are," she says. "The winter weather has been very harsh thus far, and while we may have the luxury of wrapping a warm blanket around ourselves to keep warm, many do not. This is an excellent time to lend a helping hand to others."
Blankets may be dropped off at the following locations: The Alibrandi Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Pl.; Room 200 of Crouse College; the SU Health Center, 111 Waverly Ave.; Manley Field House; the Maxwell School information desk; the MLK Library, located on the second floor of Sims Hall; Hendricks Chapel's Noble Room; collection points in Watson, Haven and Sadler residence halls; Suite 100 of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management; and the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion on South Campus. Monetary contributions may be made at the Alibrandi Center, Hendricks Chapel and the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life, 102 Walnut Pl.
For more information, call SOS at 443-2901.
