Off to College with EECM

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

Fall is officially here and kids across the country are back in school. I'm thrilled to report that East End Cooperative Ministry's annual Off to College Supply Drive was a HUGE success. Thanks to all participating congregations!

Thanks to the generosity of members from 14 local congregations, we were able to provide 16 EECM students with the essentials of dorm life as they headed for the halls of higher learning. Many of our students are first-generation college attendees and we are so proud of them!

Every year, our supporting congregations put together these Off to College Kits that contain everything from sheets and towels to microwave popcorn and shower shoes. We provide a list of the basics, but often times our congregations get creative and add little "extras" and personal touches to their kits.

Clever ideas from this year included:

Barnes and Noble gift cards (which can be used at many college book stores)

Rolls of quarters

Handmade good-luck cards

Under-bed storage boxes

Pop-up laundry hampers

A 13 piece Dorm-In-A-Bag set (which included bedding, towels, a pillow and a mesh laundry bag)

Portable flash drives

Dry erase boards for dorm doors

McDonalds gift cards

Congregations who participated in the Off to College Drive this year included:

Calvary Episcopal Church ~ Church of the Ascension ~ East Liberty Presbyterian Church ~ Eastminster Presbyterian Church ~ First United Methodist Church Youth Group ~ First Unitarian Church ~ Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church ~ Religious Society of Friends ~ Rodef Shalom Congregation ~ Sacred Heart Women’s Guild ~ Sixth Presbyterian Church ~ Temple Sinai Brotherhood & Sisterhood ~ Third Presbyterian Church ~ Tree of Life Congregation

MANY THANKS!