As the last days of summer weather begin to give way to the chilly fall months, having warm clothes becomes more than a fashion statement for many people; it is a need that is not always met. To fight warm weather clothing insecurity, the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity has organized a month-long clothing drive to inspire students to give up their old outfits and help those in need.
Since many students visit campus less frequently these days, the clothing drive is set up to be inclusive of all who wish to participate; all are encouraged to donate their clothes to any clothing drop boxes off campus, or to charitable organizations like The Salvation Army (TSA). Students are then asked to submit photos of their donated clothes so they can be accounted for, and the success of the clothing drive can be measured.
“I was trying to think of events people can do in their own time, so people don’t have to go on campus,” said Vasiliki “Vicki” Pappas, vice president of community service for Delta Sigma Pi at Lewis. “Not everybody has proper clothes in this time of need, and it allows for people to do something in their own time. [It] allows people to go at their own pace.”
Pappas is expecting at least 15 of her fellow fraternity members to participate in the clothing drive and to help spread the word to the Lewis community. Pappas explained that while Sept. 24 is the set date for the clothing drive, participants are encouraged to donate before or after that date as well, at their own convenience.
“If they just want to clean out their closet and donate, they should do it,” said Pappas. “I think helping people in this time especially is important; they should go to any drop box or TSA and drop off what they can.”
Previous community service events orchestrated by Delta Sigma Pi include food drives, involvement with Feed My Starving Children and donations of Build-A-Bear stuffed animals to children staying in Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Photo credit: Derek Swanson, Lewis University
