In the spirit of the holiday season, Yale students, faculty, and staff donated clothing, shoes, and other salvageable items as part of a winter clothing drive coordinated by Bulldog Sustainability, a student group that integrates sustainability and athletics at Yale.
The student group partnered with Easter Seals Goodwill Industries to organize the drive, which took place during the first two weeks of December 2014. Over 860 pounds of salvageable items were collected at seven locations around campus, including Payne Whitney Gymnasium and Yale Health.
Director of Warehousing and Logistics for Easter Seals Goodwill Industries Jim Murray said, “Donations of clothing and shoes are what makes our community service programs possible. Yale’s efforts play a major role in sustaining our programs.” The non-profit organization’s programs provide employment and educational opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges.
Of the 860 pounds of collected materials, textiles accounted for the majority of the weight, totaling 715 pounds. Other donated goods included handbags (42 lbs.), shoes (53 lbs.) and accessories (50 lbs.).
According to Bulldog Sustainability Project Manager Emily Rutland, a senior in Yale College, the drive is a far-reaching effort that extends beyond waste diversion. “The clothing drive not only reduced waste and promoted material reuse, but connected Yale with the greater New Haven community,” said Rutland. “That connection is important for our school and city’s relationship, and I can’t think of a better time of year to strengthen that connection than the holiday season.”
Other donation bins were placed in the Class of 1954 Environmental Science Center, Human Resources, Kline Biology Tower, and the Animal Resources Center at the Anlyan Center.
For more information about upcoming drives, email bulldog.sustainability@yale.edu.