The third annual winter clothing drive, sponsored by the UVM Catholic Center, is a program at UVM that started due to the ambition of one student.
Junior Sarah Richardson came to UVM from a small Catholic school in Massachussets.
As a first-year Richardson didnÕt think twice before contacting the UVM Catholic Center to set up the clothing fundraiser.
ÒI wanted to do something to give back to the Burlington community,Ó Richardson said.
ÒI think it is important to help those who are less fortunate, no matter what the cause is,Ó she said.
Richardson is also the Vice President of the UVM club Volunteers in Action.
ÒI believe that those who are fortunate have a responsibility to give back and help those less fortunate in any way that they can,Ó Richardson said.
All clothing collected in the drive will be donated to BurlingtonÕs Salvation Army located on Main Street, in order to help those in need during the winter.
The Salvation ArmyÕs offers a variety of services including food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation and more.
The Burlington area is home to other organizations similar to the Salvation Army.
Goodwill, located in Shelburne Road, is one of these organizations.
Goodwill Industries is an international company, however each individual branch focuses only on its needs of the local community.
Goodwill also accepts donations of all kinds however this company is a little different than Salvation Army.
Goodwill Industries in Northern New England Òprovides innovative services that eliminate barriers to opportunity and help people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work,Ó according to their website.
The company has an 80-year history and in the past year served over 30,000 individuals through job training, career counseling, brain injury programs and other community support services for those with disabilities.
ÒI think organizations like Salvation Army and Goodwill provide great services to the community,Ó Richardson said.
ÒThese types of organizations have great missions to help meet the needs of their community which is something I respect and love to participate in.Ó
