Community Corner

Fundraiser, Clothing Drive Helps Joliet's Homeless

Joliet's Annual Homeless Drive provides warm clothing to those in need.

The weather might be warm now, but as every Midwesterner knows, it won't stay that way for long.

A Joliet man is working to collect warm winter clothing, as well as blankets, hats, gloves and boots for those who live on the streets in Will County. He also recently launched a GoFundMe page to raise money to provide tents, personal items and food for the annual effort.

"It's an outreach program for people who have absolutely nowhere to go — they sleep outside every night," organizer Jamie Albert said.

He said he launched the effort five years ago with friend Nancy Leasure.

"We wanted to provide assistance to people on the street," Albert said. "We knew a lot of homeless people, and instead of them going to missions, we wanted to come to them."

The focus of the drive is on warm clothing, as well as nicer clothes to be worn to job interviews to help recipients get back on their feet.

The first year, Albert and Leasure filled the trunks of their cars and headed out, distributing clothing to those on the streets. Initially, donations came from those who heard about the effort through word of mouth

By the second year, the Essington Road Curves women's workout center became a partner for the drive. "They've been wonderful," Albert said.

Each year, the gym collects clothing that is distributed to those in need during the last weekend in November.

Although Leasure is too ill to continue being part of the distribution, Albert has kept the drive going.

Two years ago, Albert added a new element to the event. Thanks to a partnership with a local church, he was able to provide several tents that were raffled off to those in need. 

"People were so happy," he said. In addition to providing clothes and tents, Albert offered coffee and baked goods to homeless people who showed up at the Highland Park distribution.

Albert said he hopes the GoFundMe fundraiser will help him provide more tents this year, as well as personal items, coffee and food.

"I'd like to have some sandwiches this year," he said. "It's not a food pantry or a food giveaway, but I would like to offer something to eat."

All funds raised by the effort will buy food and coffee for the November distribution, as well as tents to be raffled.

"I'm proud that it's independent," Albert said. "People can just come and take what they need — we come to them."

Albert said he is hoping to have all donations in before the last weekend in November. His goal is to make the distribution the largest drive in Will County.

"It's more than just a giveaway," he said. "It's people gathering together in community."

Click here to make a donation online. If you'd like to arrange to donate drop-off or pickup for clothing donations, email jamiemichaelalbert@yahoo.com.

Any clothing that isn't claimed during the distribution will go to the Daybreak shelter in Joliet.

"Every item of clothing goes to someone," Albert said. "Nothing is wasted."


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