The I-15 Express Lanes team is spearheading the “Operation Warm” winter coat drive at Parkridge Elementary School. Skanska-Ames Joint Venture design-build team members are collecting new coats in all sizes for students ages 5 to 12. The team also is accepting coat donations from community members who wish to lend a hand. Donations are due by noon on December 18. For more information, contact Sunny Medrano at sunny.medrano@skanskaames.com.

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission set a goal of distributing 2,500 backpacks during its “Backpack Bonanza” this month, and RCTC was happy to be part of that effort. CVRM offers emergency and temporary housing, food, vocational services and recovery treatment to thousands of men, women and children each year.

But wait, there’s more…

• In May and June, staff donated gently used professional clothing to the UC Riverside R’Professional Career Closet to help students “dress to impress” during interviews, career fairs, and networking events. Sixty percent of UCR students are first-generation college students, many from low-income families with financial obstacles to buying new professional outfits. Staff members gave 70 items – skirts, shoes, slacks, suit jackets, dress shirts, ties, and blouses – some still with tags attached. Staff sorted and delivered the items to UCR before the end of the school year.
• Throughout the year, employees also are giving “Minis for the Military,” travel-sized toiletry items to benefit Operation: Care and Comfort. Since May, staff has given 253 items, including lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, lip balm, dental floss, sewing kits, and more to ship to troops serving overseas.
• Coming this fall is a Thanksgiving Food Drive through Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino, followed by a holiday toy drive and Christmas card recycling program.

“We are so fortunate to have individuals in our community, such as yourself, run a clothing drive on our behalf!  We are lucky to be a part of a community that is supportive and embraces these efforts too!  Our students are definitely benefiting and we feel so grateful to have the closet to assist them with professionalism,” said Chanel Parrish of UC Riverside’s Career Closet.