WESTFIELD – The Social Work Association, a student-run organization at Westfield State University, is seeking donations for their Stuff a Duffle Bag event.
The club is collecting items like clothing, toiletries, food, toys, and gift cards now until March 26. On that date, all of the donations will be delivered by members of the Social Work Association to local shelters, hospitals, and several DCF (Department of Children and Families) locations throughout Western Massachusetts.
Members of the Westfield State University Social Work Association are seen at their latest holiday party in February. (Photo courtesy of Social Work Association)
According to junior Kaleala Shaw, who is the President of the club, the Stuff a Duffle Bag event started last year. Since last year, the Social Work Association has grown the event into more than just asking for donations on the Westfield State campus. Donations are actively being sought throughout Westfield and the surrounding communities.
“We expanded the target population,” said Shaw. “People we’re so actively excited to donate.”
In order to donate items you can email Shaw at [email protected]. Shaw also added that even if someone wants to donate something after the deadline of March 26, that can be done as well. The organization will accept as many donations as they can and will send those items to any nearby shelter or hospital that is in need of them.
“We take pride in it,” said Shaw. “We will take anything and find a home for it.”
Besides the Stuff a Duffle Bag event, the Social Work Association at Westfield State University does a number of other outreach events throughout the year. In April of 2017, the organization took donations for household items and clothes for the 13 refugees that were displaced from their homes after a fire occurred on Mechanic Street.
