University departments team up for multipurpose donation drive

The Alumni Association is partnering with the Office of Career Services and the Office of Student Affairs for a donation drive on Friday, July 22, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Alumni Center.

The donation drive will collect items for the UL Lafayette Career Closet and the Campus Cupboard. The College of Education Alumni Chapter and the UL Lafayette Educators Rising Collegiate Chapter will also collect school supplies at the drive to distribute to teachers in Acadiana as part of their Stock the Classroom initiative.

Director of Career Services Kim Billeaudeau is excited that this donation drive will help the Career Closet's upcoming expansion. After five years of operation, the Career Closet will expand to a larger facility this fall. The closet provides students with free, gently used professional clothing items for interviews, career fairs, and other professional networking events. "Your donation of new or gently used professional clothing will allow us to serve more UL Lafayette students," Billeaudeau said.

The beauty of this donation drive is that there are many ways to give back. Donating to the Campus Cupboard will help UL Lafayette students meet their temporary food and personal care needs. Any donated school supplies will be sent directly to new teachers in Acadiana to help them prepare their classrooms for the upcoming school year.

John Claude Arceneaux, the Alumni Association's interim executive director, encourages the community to give to more than one area if possible. "This [donation drive] is a wonderful way to support our students by equipping them with the resources to be successful," Arceneaux said.

Each organization will accept different items at the drive, ranging from gently used professional clothing, nonperishable food items, personal care items, and various school supplies. Those interested can find a detailed list of all the needed items for each organization here.

"The items collected at the donation drive will greatly benefit our campus and community in so many ways," Billeaudeau said. On the day of the donation drive, pack up the items you wish to donate and drive to the Alumni Center's circle parking lot in front of the building to drop off your donation. Volunteers and staff members will be waiting outside to help you unload your items and to thank you for your generosity.

For more information or questions about the donation drive, don't hesitate to contact the Office of Career Services at 337-482-1444 or email the Alumni Association at alumni@louisiana.edu.

Photo Caption: Jennifer LeMeunier, Associate Director of Career Services, organizes clothing donated to the UL Lafayette Career Closet. Photo Credit: Courtney Bergeron / University of Louisiana at Lafayette