Aaron Berkowitz – General Assignment Reporter
Even though the Disability Resource Center (DRC) packed a room full of donations already, don’t let that deter you from contributing because every little thing counts, said Deborah Fairchild, assistant director of the DRC.
This is the second annual Stuff-a-Shuttle drive organized by the DRC. The DRC has teamed up with First Transit, Outreach Unlimited, Zeta Delta Epsilon, and the University Police to have as successful of a drive as possible.
“I couldn’t even tell you how many people have already made donations,” said Fairchild. “It’s really that many between staff members and students. I love working with students who want to give back to the community. Last year’s drive was incredibly successful so we hope to at least match the amount of items we raised or do better.”
The Stuff-a-Shuttle drive is a collection of gently worn clothing, new toiletries, and non-perishable items. Staff in the DRC is already accepting early donations in their office, which is located in Engleman C105. All donations are being delivered to Loaves and Fishes, which is at a church on 57 Olive Street in New Haven.
Gregory Tower, the general manager at First Transit, said they would donate a shuttle to the university for the day to help pick up and deliver all of the donations.
“Last year we stuffed the 18 foot shuttle,” said Tower. “We hope to get even more donations for this year’s drive, that’s our goal. Part of our vision as a company is to be partnerships with our community and help out as much as we can.”
Tower said First Transit only plans to send out one shuttle to make the deliveries and drop-offs for the donations, but if the drive goes exceptionally well then they would have no problem sending out another shuttle.
“I’d like for students to make even more donations than last year because it really is for a great cause,” said Tower.
Fairchild said this drive began last year when Outreach Unlimited, a club on campus whose mission is to increase disability and accessibility awareness through mentoring and volunteering, decided they wanted to stuff a shuttle full of donations and donate it. They found Loaves and Fishes and decided they were the perfect place to donate to.
“The biggest push is for non-perishable food items and clothing,” said Fairchild. “What we’re finding is that a lot of people aren’t able to come the day of the event, so we decided to collect donations early to make the process easier. Whether it’s a small donation of two cans or five bags. Everything counts and is appreciated.”
Last year’s drive was so successful that all of the partners involved contacted the DRC and said they had to be a part of it again this year, according to Fairchild.
“We really pulled together for this,” said Fairchild. “Before we even got organized for this year’s drive both Greg Tower and Chief Dooley said ‘We going to do this again?’ Last year we almost thought of bringing out a second shuttle. It was stuffed from the bottom to the tippy-top all the way to where the driver was sitting. There wasn’t an ounce of space”
Fairchild said she was a little concerned that the amount of snow days the University has had as of late may affect the amount of donations they collect, but she is hoping that students will come together to help those in need.
“This makes me so proud of all of the students that I work with,” said Fairchild. “To see the hard work they put in to make this all happen and watching them grow as young people who are so civic minded makes me so happy. If you don’t learn that giving back is important when you’re young, when do you learn it? There are so many ways to get involved.”
