ELYSE GRIECO
Life & Arts Editor
Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Chi Pi chapter will be hosting their Operation Winter Rescue clothing and food drive this week, Feb. 19- 22.
APO is a coeducational, service based fraternity with over 350 active chapters in the nation alone.
“We really focus on the principles of leadership, friendship and service,” said junior English adolescence education major and fraternity president Lucas Butchko.
The idea for the drive sprouted from the clubs involvement with the Rural Ministries of Chautauqua County Garment Gallery.
Last year, APO held a clothing drive to help the rising number of people who recently relocated to the Dunkirk area from Puerto Rico.
In Sept. 2017, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and left the country in shambles.
The level 5 storm demolished buildings and left towns with no power, forcing locals to find new homes.
“We already have a large Hispanic population in the Dunkirk and Fredonia community. A lot of people came from Puerto Rico since they had family here,” Butchko said.
Due to the hurricane’s destruction, many people who were displaced found themselves without any of their belongings.
“A lot of times, they came with what they literally had on their backs. Living in Puerto Rico, a lot of them didn’t have winter clothing in general since it is a much warmer climate down there than we experience here,” he said. “We wanted to do something that could directly impact this new community that’s coming to the area.”
This year, APO was informed that the Rural Ministry was also going through a large food shortage and was in need of donations, prompting them to make this year’s drive include food items.
Last year’s drive was successful and resulted in over 400 pounds of clothing being donated. This year, the club is hoping for another great response.
APO is looking for clothing donations including, but not limited to, hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, snow pants and coats. They are also asking for donations of non-perishable food items including canned fruits and vegetables, boxes of pasta, jars of sauce, cereal, canned meats, canned soups and peanut butter.
Drop-offs for these items will take place Tuesday through Thursday in McEwen Hall near the McEwen Café.
Each residence hall will also have a designated spot for donations.
On Friday, all donations will take place in the William’s Center, room G103C, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For further questions about donation items and times, contact Emily Staniszewski at stan0641@fredonia.edu.