The United Way is giving people a way to put their own special touch on donations to the homeless. The charity recently launched its Inaugural Shoebox Campaign to help those in need. Brad Vivacqua has the details.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Inaugural Shoebox Campaign is a drive that other United Way's across the country have tried, and it's the first year they're trying it locally. The one month campaign is set to conclude right before September 11 which is known as a national day of service.
People are encouraged to get a shoebox and collect hygiene items that can be distributed to those in need. Items being collected range from soap and toothpaste to tissues and shampoo. The goal is collect the items in a shoebox that you decorate yourself -- to make your gift a little more personalized. The items will be distributed to numerous charities across Central New York.
"So on September 11, we hope to show the community that we've been able to collect at least one thousand shoe boxes and then from there, they will go to places like Salvation Army, Samaritan Center, Catholic Charities, Rescue Mission and Vera House, and they will be keeping them and distributing them to the people in need," said Frank Lazarski, the United Way of CNY president.
Lazarski says you can drop off filled shoeboxes or individual items at Wegmans stores or at Destiny USA customer service desks. You can also drop them off at the United Way on James Street or at the Syracuse Media Group offices.
A number of school groups will also be helping to decorate some of the boxes. So, they're having some fun with this.
And if you'd like to learn more about the Shoebox Drive, head to the United Way's website.