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Undy Sunday
Annual fundraiser offers students necessary
undergarments and supplies to attend school
Collier County--Organizers of the
14th Annual Undy Sunday event are preparing for more students than
ever to be in need of items to be ready for another school year.
During August about 50 Collier County churches and synagogues will
be asking their members to donate new underwear and socks for
school-age children along with donations of money for other
necessary school items.
Participating religious communities will set out donation boxes on Sunday, August 15 and Sunday, August 22. Donors will be asked to bring new socks and new underwear for boys and girls sizes six through 12. Monetary donations also are needed to purchase backpacks and school supplies.
"It is undeniable that the economic problems that have affected us here in Southwest Florida are particularly acute among the children of the underemployed and unemployed," said Armando Galella, District Director of Catholic Charities of Collier County. The agency is organizing the event.
“In all of its 14 year history here in Collier County, the 2010 version of Undy Sunday may be fulfilling the greatest need,” Galella said. “We are again fortunate in attracting financial contributions that will allow Catholic Charities to supplement the clothing donations with other useful school needs for the underprivileged children of our community.”
Around 15 Collier County public elementary schools, Bonita Springs Elementary School in Lee County, Youth Haven, the Shelter for Abused Women, and other social service agencies will receive the underwear and socks and school supplies to distribute to children during the school year.
Since the initial Undy Sunday in 1997, the number of churches and
synagogues participating has more than doubled. About 600,000
undergarments have been given to disadvantaged children in Collier
County during the past 13 years.
A group of volunteers from Catholic Charities
of Collier County will distribute collection boxes to participating
local churches and synagogues prior to the two Undy Sundays. After
the event, with help from students of
Donation items also can be dropped off at the
Catholic Charities office located at 2210 Santa Barbara from 9 a.m.
until 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 9 a.m. through 3
p.m. on Fridays. For more information about the Undy Sunday Program
contact Catholic Charities of Collier County at (239) 455-2655.