University Communications and Marketing
Dec. 4, 2018

Warming Billings from one Jacket to another
Winter clothing drive open until Feb. 1
Contacts:
University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266
MSU BILLINGS NEWS鈥 The MSU Billings Center for Engagement, Student Activities Board (SAB), and Associated Students of 麻花影视 (AS麻花影视) recently launched Jackets from 鈥楯ackets, a community engagement project to address winter clothing insecurity.
Jackets from 鈥楯ackets donations will benefit homeless youth and help fill unmet needs of Billings Public Schools and the Salvation Army, casting a larger net into the community by reaching children, adults, and families.
Student leaders from SAB and AS麻花影视 visited with the Center for Engagement about opportunities to impact the Billings community and give back, with the goal of reaching Billings high schools. The idea of doing a coat drive arose as SAB was searching for a passive program for 麻花影视 students to get involved with as individuals and participate as they choose.
After visiting with Sue Runkle, an 麻花影视 alum who is the Homeless Education Liaison for Billings Public Schools, to learn about homelessness in Billings, they decided that this project was 鈥渟omething that we wanted to sink our teeth into,鈥 shared Halle Keltner, AS麻花影视 president. 鈥淪ue shared how happy she is that we are partnering with Billings Public Schools, as last year there were over 500 homeless students in School District Two.鈥
This project invites 麻花影视 students, faculty, and staff to donate coats, jackets, and snow pants to those in need through donation bins located in the Student Union Building Atrium, Liberal Arts building, and City College Commons. All sizes of warm outerwear will be accepted, although adult sizes are preferred. Items should be new or gently used.
Donations will be accepted from Nov. 19, 2018 through Feb. 1, 2019 and will be included in Power of One Week, which is Jan. 21 through 25.
鈥溌榛ㄓ笆 students love passive events where they can drop in and quietly participate on their own terms,鈥 shared Emily Willoughby, SAB chair. 鈥淭his is an opportunity for students to be involved in the community of Billings without leaving campus.
For more information, contact the Center for Engagement at 657-2387 or engagement@msubillings.edu.