With the help of generous community members, Islip High School’s Junior Chamber of Commerce Club recently collected 300 pairs of denim jeans to donate to the homeless, 20 more than the previous year. Islip joined the annual initiative in 2011 through DoSomething.org’s Teens for Jeans campaign.
“The number one item requested by people living in shelters is a pair of jeans, and for the past six years, the Junior Chamber of Commerce Club has committed to helping the homeless,” said club adviser Renee Clock. “This campaign allows teens to take a leadership role in our community by organizing and collecting jeans from family members, neighbors and local businesses. Our students inspire each other to be socially responsible by developing compassion to those in need.”
The Town of Islip Youth Bureau, Islip American Legion Rusy-Bohm Post 411, Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi and Kennedy L.I. Realty again helped to spread the word about the jeans collection. Melanie Holz, the prevention coordinator at Youth Enrichment Services, spoke to students in the club regarding the importance of community initiatives that enrich the lives of others, before she assisted Clock and teacher Dennis Wickes in delivering the jeans to the United Veterans Beacon House.
“It’s always a positive when we help those in need,” said Holz.
Photo Caption: Islip High School’s Junior Chamber of Commerce Club collected 300 pairs of denim jeans to donate to the homeless via the Teens for Jeans campaign.
Photos courtesy of the Islip School District
