CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois International staff donated more than 50 items, including clothes and school supplies, and raised over $300 for the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation this fall.
Every year Illinois International seeks to engage in a service project to give back to the community.
This year, the money staff raised was collected for the CU Schools Foundation via the Campus Charitable Fund Drive.
The donated items were collected with United Way of Champaign County for the CU Schools Foundation program Operation Caring Closets.
Operation Caring Closets
Operation Caring Closets is a collaborative partnership between the CU Schools Foundation, United Way of Champaign County, Urbana School District #116, and Champaign Unit 4 School District.
According to its website, each school within the two districts relies on one or more “caring closets” that stock essential items for students like clothes, hygiene products, and school supplies.
Quentin Misiag, the assistant director for events and engagement at Illinois International, helped organize the Operation Caring Closets campaign as a volunteer, philanthropic opportunity for staff during their fall 2024 all-staff retreat.
“Without these items, students are at greater risk of falling behind today, which could impact them throughout their lives,” according to the CU Schools Foundation website.
In total, Illinois International staff collected:
- 1 black backpack
- 1 purple backpack
- 1 pink backpack
- 1 black shoulder bag
- 1 power outlet adapter
- 1 pair of grey sweatpants (kids size medium)
- 1 soccer themed long sleeve tee (kids size large)
- 1 green long sleeve tee (kids size small)
- 1 pack of 10 pairs of black ankle socks (medium size shoe, can fit most kids and some adults)
- 2 packs of index cards (100 count each)
- 3 pairs of lightweight winter gloves (various colors, one size fits all)
- 1 pack of 10 No. 2 pencils
- 1 pack of Post-it notes (3 stacks of various colors, totaling 135 individual Post-It notes)
- 1 pack of 5 girls microfiber underwear (size kids small)
- 1 Hanes 10 pack black socks
- 1 Hanes 10 pack white socks
- 1 3-pack boot socks
- 3 winter hats
- 4 pairs of winter gloves
- 1 XL green men’s/boy’s sweatshirt
- 1 XXL blue women’s/girl’s sweatshirt
- 1 pack men’s t-shirts
- 1 pack men’s tank tops
- 4 Old Spice deodorants
- 2 Secret deodorants
- 2 packs of markers
- 3 notebooks
- 4 glue bottles
- 2 highlighter packs
- 2 Expo dry erase marker packs
- 2 packs of loose paper
- 1 pack of pens
- 2 packs of crayons
Jeniece D. Mitchell is the executive director of Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center, which is a key partner of the CU Schools Foundation Operation Caring Closets initiative, and said members of the United Way Emerging Community Leaders group at the University of Illinois have collected and donated nearly 85 items this year.
Mitchell also said the NOLA group in partnership with Gies College of Business donated 250 bookbags to Mrs. Mitchell's Closet locations inside Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center and 5 Urbana Schools.
“I am grateful for the time and effort these volunteers spent sorting, hanging, and folding clothes, coats, and school supplies in Mrs. Mitchell's Closet,” Mitchell said.
Campus Charitable Fund Drive
The annual CCFD is a two-month long charitable giving campaign for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign employees that started in October.
During the campaign, employees in the different sections and units on campus support charities of their choice to make a “positive impact on the lives of many,” according to the CCFD website.
In 2023, the collective efforts from the campaign raised over $1.36 million. This year, the university set a goal of $1.5 million in funds to benefit those in need.
Each unit and section on campus is represented by one or more “CCFD leaders” who attend training and events throughout the campaign and rally the employees in their departments to give.
Illinois International Office Administrator Jill Ouellette and Office Support Associate Kecia Byndum were this year’s CCFD unit leaders and hosted two movie screenings and a raffle to help raise money for the CU Schools Foundation.
In total, Illinois International raised $346 in cash from the two movie screenings and the raffle.
This is the second year Illinois International has raised money for the CU Schools Foundation via the CCFD.
“The overwhelming participation in this year’s CCFD campaign was truly heartwarming,” Byndum said. “It was wonderful to see so many (colleagues) contribute to such an amazing foundation.”
Overall, Ouellette said when it comes to giving, every little bit matters and adds up.
“Donating whether it is time or money enriches lives and keeps you connected to your community,” Ouellette said. “For me, the positive impact never fails to exceed the efforts. I love the feeling of knowing I am making a difference.”
Byndum said the donations received from staff members this year made a significant impact, and she is excited to see what next year will bring.
To learn more about the CU Schools Foundation or to learn how to donate visit their website at https://cuschoolsfoundation.org.
Quentin Misiag, the assistant director for events and engagement at Illinois International contributed to this article.
Analicia Haynes is the storyteller and social media specialist for Illinois International and can be reached at ahayn2@illinois.