United Way Retired and Senior Volunteer program of Northwest Indiana is hosting two collection drives: one for personal care items and the other for handmade winter clothing items for the upcoming holiday season.
The sample-size hygiene product drive, now in its third year, collects items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap/body wash, shaving cream, feminine products and lotion to provide to overseas troops and area nonprofit clients.
“Locally, many individuals cannot afford to purchase hygiene products, even with government assistance,” said Michael Glorioso, regional director of United Way Retired and Senior Volunteer program. “Our program volunteers wanted to help fill this very basic need for their neighbors.”
The second collection drive is Crafting for Love, an annual holiday gift giving project that area residents can participate in. Crafty individuals can donate handmade gloves, hats and scarves to be gifted to the community’s neediest this coming holiday season.
“Everyone, no matter their financial situation, deserves to receive a gift during the holidays,” said Kim Olesker, president & CEO of United Way of Porter County. “The Crafting for Love project shows these individuals that their community cares.”
Individuals interested in providing donations can drop off requested items at the following locations: United Way of Porter County (951 Eastport Center Drive, Valparaiso), We Care from the Heart (5272 Hohman Avenue, Hammond), Portage Township Food Pantry (5391 Central Avenue, Portage), Sacred Heart Food Pantry (1001 West 8th Street, Michigan City), Starke County Community Service (311 East Culver Road, Knox), Adam Benjamin VA Clinic (9301 Madison Street, Crown Point), St. Vincent DePaul (406 East Washington Street, Knox), Sojourner Truth House (410 West 13th Avenue, Gary) and Blue Star Mothers (multiple locations).
Items donated will be gifted to the homeless, poor, veterans and overseas troops. Personal care items are being collected now through January 1. Crafting for Love items are being collected now until Thanksgiving. For more information about the United Way Retired and Senior Volunteer program, visit UnitedWayPC.org.