Kicking off the holiday season, the Future Business Leaders of America, or FBLA, hosted a winter clothing drive for those in need so they can have something to keep them warm during this record breakingly cold winter. 

Donations were accepted from Dec. 10-18 in various donation boxes located in the band room, CITGO, Julia Street entrance, PAC entrance and Porter Street entrance. New or gently used coats, clothes, shoes, new socks, school supplies and hygiene products will be gratefully accepted. 

Every single donation will go straight to and benefit Cradles to Crayons of Chicago, a non-profit organization that supports children ages 0-12 dealing with homelessness or in a low income household by providing them with essential items. “We just try to keep [our donations] as local as possible,” FBLA sponsor John Aspel said. 

  Aspel has ambitious goals for the outcome of this charity event. “[We want] to get as many articles of new and gently used articles of clothing as possible to help support a great cause and close to home,” said Aspel. 

With the drive, there are many constants, but many changes that come with it. “We have done a clothing drive in the past to support other groups, [but] this is our first time working with Cradles to Crayons- [a] local Chicagoland charity.” Aspel said. 

Make sure to donate to help those in need during the season of giving!