By Richard Camacho
CCC Journalism Program
Camden County College is holding a coat drive from Nov. 4 to Dec. 6.
Coats can be dropped off in this large bucket on the CCC Blackwood campus. By Richard Camacho, CCC Journalism Program
The coat drive is happening on four campuses: in Blackwood in the College Community Center, in Cherry Hill in the Rohrer Center, in Camden on the first floor of the Technology Center and in the lobby of College Hall, and in Sicklerville in the lobby of the Regional Emergency Training Center. The coats donated by students every year are given to a local social service agency located in Camden County College.
“The coat drive is a positive community service event where used and gently worn coats can be used for students in need,” said Jacqueline Tenuto, assistant dean for student development and support. Tenuto has been working on the annual coat drive for nine years. “You would be surprised at how many students don’t have a coat. They may come to my office and ask for a coat themselves. Of course, we give them a coat if needed because the students come first within the coat drive.”
Tenuto and the student government usually run the coat drive. The student government usually handles the transportation of the coats, whether it be delivering them to the desired location or meeting up for the coats to be picked up.
Stephanie Pistone, 21, a student at Camden County College, said this about donating clothing to those who need it: “I think it is a good idea but I prefer to donate to the Salvation Army. Nothing against the college coat drive but I have been donating my clothes to the Salvation Army for a couple of years now and it is just something I prefer to do.”
The coat drive began on Nov. 4 and will end when the campuses close on Dec. 6. Additional information about the coat drive can be obtained by contacting the Student Life and Activities Office in the College Community Center in Room 200 on the Blackwood campus. The telephone number to call is 856-227-7200, ext. 4282.