Lawrence County United Way Collects 557 Blankets in Annual Drive

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – The United Way of Lawrence County collected 557 blankets as part of its 15th annual Share the Warmth Blanket Drive, as well as socks, underwear, pajamas and hats that will be distributed throughout the area.

The drive is sponsored by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and is supported by Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County, Challenges: Options in Aging, Visit Lawrence County, Lawrence County College Access Program/Head Start, Salvation Army and Connerly’s Cleaners.

Sites collecting blankets were AFSCME 2902, Arts & Education at the Hoyt, Connerly’s Cleaners, Cray at the Confluence, Lark Enterprises, Lawrence County YMCA, Lawrence County Government Center, Lawrence County Career & Technical Center, Stramba Farms and Fiber Mill Studio,  Spiritual Path Church, Villa Maria, Visit Lawrence County, state Rep. Chris Sainato’s office, Neshannock High School and Shenango High School.

Shenango Schools also allowed students to package and distribute blankets from the high school.

“The students were so helpful in counting, sorting and packing the blankets for the various agencies,” said Gayle Young, executive director of the United Way chapter. “The agencies were able to stay in their cars and the students carried the large bags of blankets and placed them into their vehicles.”

The blankets were distributed to 121 Mentoring, Catholic Charities, Children’s Advocacy Center, City Rescue Mission, Crisis Shelter, Holy Redeemer, People in Need and the Humane Society.

“Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is committed to keeping our customers safe and warm. We are humbled to partner with the United Way by sponsoring the Share the Warmth Blanket Drive,” said Sarah Brunner, Columbia’s community engagement manager, in a statement.

Added Young: “We appreciate the extreme generosity of our community in making this event so successful, and the students were the key component with their compassion and enthusiasm.”

Pictured: Students at Shenango High School sort blankets as part of the United Way of Lawrence County’s annual Share the Warmth blanket drive.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.