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The Ten Tons of Love donation drive is adding a special winter collection to its annual spring effort to assist those in need with clothing, household items, nonperishable food, books and school supplies. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s students, faculty and staff, and community members are asked to donate used items in good condition to those in need in Central New York. The drive begins Thursday, Dec. 10, and runs through Tuesday, Dec. 22.

The spring 2009 effort collected 33 tons of food, clothing, housewares, shoes and books. Additionally, 15 truckloads of furniture were collected. Recipients of the donated items include Transitional Living Services, Interfaith Works of CNY’s Center for New Americans, First English Food Pantry, Northside Clothes Closet, Refugee Resettlement Program, Practical Assistance Program, Bethesda Temple Pentecostal Church and Mary Nelson’s Backpack Program. The items will be sorted at First English Lutheran Church before delivery to these not-for-profits, which will then share donated goods with members of the Central New York community.

This year’s Ten Tons of Love Winter is possible because of the support of the following businesses: SU’s ; First English Lutheran Church; Lutheran Campus Ministry; the SU R.A.P.E. Center; SU’s ; SU’s ; ; SU’s ; the Office of Community Engagement at Hendricks Chapel; The Step Center; the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and SU FIXit. The drive depends on the work of volunteers to gather, transport and sort donated goods. University and community members who wish to volunteer can do so by e-mailing offcampus@syr.edu.  

Drop off locations on and off campus include all residence halls, Moon Library, Archbold Gym, Hendricks Chapel, Schine Student Center, Goldstein Student Center and the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services. Off-campus pickup of large items can be arranged by calling (315) 443-5489.

Darya Rotblat, director of the Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs, chairs the drive. For more information or to register to volunteer, e-mail offcampus@syr.edu.  

Ten Tons of Love will return April 30, 2010, for end-of-year donations.