Community Corner
Worcester Resident Gives Back With Clothing Donation Events In New England
The staff member and alumnus at Assumption University said he collected 1,000 articles of clothing before distributing them this summer.
WORCESTER, MA — One Worcester resident is working to help those in need by bringing students, businesses and community organizations together to support residents.
Jordan Revels, a staff member and former student at Assumption University, said he collected about 1,000 articles of clothing from February to May before distributing the donations in both Worcester and New Haven, Connecticut, throughout the summer.
From Campus To Community
Students, faculty and administrators contributed through handmade collection bins placed in Assumption University laundry rooms, while four small businesses and organizations in Connecticut also donated items, Revel told Patch.
Revels, who works as the university’s pub manager and student engagement coordinator, said the project began as a way to prevent usable clothing from being discarded as students prepared to leave campus.
The donations included shirts, pants, shorts, hoodies and pajamas as well as blankets, towels and other items. During distributions in downtown Worcester, Revels organized the clothing by size and type on tables so community members could look through the available items.
“They were more excited about having clean clothes, holding it up, trying it on,” Revels said.
Revels also drove to Connecticut to collect donations and later distributed clothing in downtown New Haven. He said he chose the two communities because both contributed to his personal growth.
“For me, this project was more than collecting clothing,” Revels told Patch. “It was an opportunity to unify students, local businesses and community organizations around a shared goal of serving others.”
Revels said his family has a history of community service, including helping people access clothing, food and educational opportunities. He described the drive as a way to continue that tradition while paying forward the support he received.
“I learned from this project that leadership isn’t something you announce, but rather something you experience,” Revels told Patch. "Creating an impact isn't changing the world. Inspiring a revolution is; and oftentimes, all people need is an invite."
Revels plans to hold the drive again and hopes to expand it into a larger community event.
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