UMass Medical School is again participating in the annual Worcester Public Schools Coats for Kids Drive. The mission of the coat drive is to provide new, warm outerwear to Worcester children in need in order to foster confidence and increase their attendance and participation in school.
Donations of new coats, fleece jackets, sweatshirts (no hoods), boots, hats and mittens in all sizes are requested. Donation drop-off boxes are located in the old Medical School lobby, second floor Sherman Center atrium, Lazare Research building first floor lobby, South Street campus near the mail room, the Schrafft Center reception area and the MassBiologics cafeteria. Gift cards that teachers can use to purchase clothing for students are also welcome.
Coats for Kids has provided thousands of winter jackets, hats and mittens to children throughout the district, which includes 48 schools, the Worcester Head Start Program, the Worcester Family Partnership Program and several area homeless shelters. The UMMS coat drive further supports the North Quadrant Support Services initiative launched in 2017 to address socioeconomic barriers to academic success faced by many Worcester Public Schools students. The North Quadrant includes some of the most economically challenged neighborhoods in Worcester, beset by challenges ranging from food insecurity to homelessness.
Last year UMMS collected approximately 1,200 coats; 1,000 hats, pairs of mittens and scarves; 50 pairs of boots; and gift certificates totaling $1,215, according to Kola Akindele, JD, assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations, who leads the effort.
The winter clothing drive runs through Dec. 31. Learn more about Coats for Kids and the North Quadrant Support Services initiative, and contact the Office of Community and Government Relations with questions.
Related stories on UMassMedNow:
LISTEN: UMass Medical School partnership with Worcester schools benefits students
UMMS staff, students provide classroom enrichment to 27 teachers in Worcester’s North Quadrant
Worcester Public Schools and UMass Medical School unveil family support services initiative
