EUGENE, Ore. – Eugene Police Department and Walmart are collaborating on a drive to collect hoodies for youth, according to the Eugene Police Department.
Police said the collection effort was started after recognizing that teens were often overlooked during holiday drives, and they wanted to collect as many new hoodies as possible. Following her “Shop with a Cop” for children ages 5 to 13, she found a need for older children who may be neglected during the holiday season.
“We determined there was a need for high school students ages 14 to 18 who were being neglected during the holiday season, so we partnered with the 4J and Bethel School Districts and Looking Glass to reach out to high school students. We wanted to do something in the community to provide warmth: distribute hoodies in high school jacket closets,” said Cherry Nelson, EPD’s Community Engagement Team Supervisor.
According to EPD, the local school district will let high school students choose from a selection of donated new hoodies that they are comfortable wearing. Police said a hoodie was chosen for the drive because most high school students tend to prefer hoodies over coats.
“You know, coats are too heavy and bulky, but parkas can be distributed to high school students who need a little more warmth. I think high school students think they’re cooler than coats,” Nelson said.
Nelson said she also hopes to be able to donate 100 hoodies to each school district. The effort also received a $1,000 donation from Walmart, which will be used to purchase more hoodies if the goal is not met, police said. EPD says the parka drive for high school students is running all month long through Dec. 31 and can be dropped off at EPD headquarters at 300 Country Club Road or the EPD Downtown Station at 960 Olive Street. Walmart Gifts for Parker His cards may also be dropped off or mailed to Sherry Nelson, Eugene Police Community Engagement Team Supervisor in charge of the Eugene Police Department, 300 Country Club Road, Eugene, Oregon 97401.