Social Work Club Collecting Winter Coats

By: Erica Johnson
Posted In: News

For the past few days, when you have rolled out of bed for that class that is just too early, you might have taken a look outside at the cold and rainy weather and didn’t think twice about grabbing your coat. You are fortunate.

There are many people right here in Newport who are not able to afford a good winter coat. And their resources for buying a new one this winter are practically nonexistent. You can help.

Salve’s Social Work Club is holding a winter coat drive in conjunction with several other social service agencies in Rhode Island. This is the first year the club has participated in the drive, much to the excitement of club president Theresa Sousa, ‘05. She said the project is called “Buy Nothing Day” and was started by the group Adbusters to protest the consumerism that is undermining our communities.

“On the day after Thanksgiving, several local students will bring all of these winter coats up to the State House lawn and distribute them to people in need,” said Sousa. “There are about 30 students involved in the effort to collect coats and distribute them.”

One of the club’s goals is to show people going to the mall that day (one of the busiest shopping days of the year) that not everyone can afford even basic needs like keeping warm during the winter.

“We need to be aware of these people and help them out in any way we can,” said Sousa.

If you are interested in donating a winter coat please bring them to the secretary at the Gatehouse (in front of McAuley) or leave them on the back porch. The drive ends at noon on Friday, November 21, 2003. For questions or more information contact Mary Montiminy-Danna at ext. 3173.