Jean drive to benefit homeless

Freshman Christine Lei is hoping students will donate their old jeans and other clothing to help the homeless. She has set up a bin in the main office and at football games and will accept donations through the month of December.

The effort, called the Jean Drive, will go an assortment of organizations benefiting the homeless, though most of the donations will go to the West Valley Community Center, she said.

Lei, along with Katherine Ju and Jackie Zhang, who both attend other schools, has organized the event to earn the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest honor given to participants who begin a community service project between the ages of 11-14.

Although the project mainly seeks to get blue jeans, an assortment of other clothes can be donated, including coats, sweaters, socks, mittens, blankets and other items that will keep people warm during the upcoming winter season.

“We wanted jeans to be the main clothing item since they can’t be ripped easily and they last a long time,” said Lei. “Also, most people wear jeans every day, so it’s easy for them to find old pairs to donate.”

Although the drive has been advertised on the morning announcements, there have not been as many donations as Lei had hoped for. Lei feels that part of the problem is with publicity, specifically getting the word out that students should bring in clothes. In an attempt to resolve this issue, a booth will be set up at the remaining home football games.