鈥淭o help people less fortunate.鈥�
鈥淓veryone deserves a home and something to eat.鈥�
鈥淣o one should be cold.鈥�
鈥淓veryone should have a safe place.鈥�
These were just some of the reasons students from the Lord Tennyson elementary out of school program were inspired to collect donations for the Courier鈥檚 annual clothing drive for Directions Youth Services, a non-profit organization that helps street youth meet immediate needs through hot meals, showers and laundry facilities.
On Dec. 9, the students dropped by the 麻豆传媒映画Courier office on West Fifth Avenue to drop off their many bags of donations. Since November, the students had been collecting everything from toiletries to clothes and blankets for teens living on the street or in shelters. This is the fourth year students from the program have taken part. Courier office manager June Stafford started the clothing drive 11 years ago.
Under the direction of program coordinator Cassandra Gordon, the students collected nine blankets, nine jackets, 60 tubes of toothpaste, 21 pairs of gloves, bars of soap and 160 pairs of socks. The students also raised money by holding a bake sale, a bottle drive and creating a wishing well for parents to drop their change into.
Directions encourages teens and young adults to seek support through education, recreation and artistic programs. In addition to lockers and pet kennels, the centre also offers a space for youth to shower and clean up before a job interview, a family meeting or for their own sake, which is why it鈥檚 so important to carry essential toiletries such as disposable razors, shampoo, tampons, soap and hair clippers. Other items on the centre鈥檚 wish list include gift cards, particularly for fast-food restaurants and coffee shops, transit passes and new items such as underwear, sneakers and boots, warm jackets, gloves, hats, socks, rain pants and jackets, and any teen-appropriate clothing. Homeless youth are always in need of sleeping bags, backpacks, tarps, sheets, blankets and first aid items. For more information about
Directions, visit . Donations of new goods can be dropped off at the Courier office, 303 West Fifth Ave., between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday before Dec. 18 at the Alberta Street entrance or call 604-630-3501 and ask for June.
