Local sweater drive spreads warmth

Nov. 17, 2008

KALAMAZOO--Broncos across the Western Michigan University campus are helping to bring the spirit of America's favorite neighbor to the Kalamazoo area by participating in West Michigan's Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive.

During the drive, people are asked to donate all sizes of new or gently worn sweaters or other warm clothing, including coats, hats, sweatshirts and mittens. All donations collected at drop boxes around the WMU campus will go to the Kalamazoo Salvation Army and be distributed at no cost to selected people in the local area.

The regional drive will end Friday, Dec. 5. It is being sponsored by WGVU, the West Michigan PBS television station, and Member First Mortgage.

WMU's participation in the drive was suggested by Kayle Dembowski, a freshman from Williamston, Mich., who is majoring in English. Dembowski is among the volunteers who are bringing warmth to their neighbors this fall by helping to organize the on-campus effort.

Donation drop boxes are situated outside the Registrar's Office on the second floor of the Seibert Administration Building, in the lobby of the Faunce Student Services Building, and at two locations in the Bernhard Center--in Textbook Alley on the ground floor and by the main entrance welcome desk on the second floor.

For more information about drop box locations, contact Elaine Gaudio at elena.gaudio@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2351. Go to www.wgvu.org for more information about the drive.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

Adapted from www.wmich.edu/wmu/news