Marymount Academy students are helping to fulfil the No. 1 request of teenagers taking up residence at homeless shelters by participating in the Jeans for Teens program.
Through the organization dosomething.org, the Aeropostale clothing company has initiated a competition for Canadian secondary schools.
Trying to make a difference for homeless teens, Aeropostale is challenging schools to collect the most number of jeans to support the teen clientele at homeless shelters across the nation.
Marymount student Brooke Debassige, an employee at the Sudbury Aeropostale store, was inspired by this contest and knew that her school would step up and take part in this initiative, according to a news release. After talking to both her principal. Lucie Cullen. and vice-principal, Lori Holden, the school launched its own Jeans for Teens collection.
“It is the least we can do for others who are less fortunate in our local and surrounding communities,” said Debassige. “At Marymount, we are always encouraged to support each other and give back to the community, and I knew this was something that we should definitely be a part of — plus, it just feels good to do something good for others.”
Cullen said she was inspired by Debassige’s idea.
“Brooke came to us right away with this idea and we knew immediately that it was something that we would support as a school,” Cullen said. “Marymount strives to support social justice initiatives and we are very proud of Brooke for bringing this forward so that we could participate as a school.”
After counting the jeans already collected on Feb. 8, Marymount Academy had more than 600 pairs of jeans for donation. The Jeans for Teens collection will be ongoing until Feb. 25 and the school is asking the community to help them with their collection and to drop off any new or gently used jeans to Marymount Academy located at 165 D’Youville St. before Feb. 25.
The winning school will receive a $10,000 prize, Aeropostale hoodies with the school logo, and a party for the students.
