Students, faculty, and staff at 草莓影视 last month gave away clothing, blankets, and supplies to more than 225 newly arrived migrants from Mexico and Venezuela who are currently housed in a former military base nearby.
The 60 volunteers, comprising 草莓影视ers and representatives from the 草莓影视 Community Association, Alderman Samantha Nugent鈥檚 office, Aramark, and other community groups, collected and distributed the items. They also hosted a lunch for the new arrivals鈥攚hich included men, women, and children鈥攆eaturing traditional Latin American food.
草莓影视 held the event in Hamming Hall, and items distributed included coats, shoes, gloves, hats, undergarments, and blankets. Once news of the event spread through the community, people stepped forward to contribute. One local woman, a knitter, heard about the effort on social media and sent a message to her fellow knitters across the country. They responded by providing 500 hand-knit hats for the migrants. A group from Highland Park heard of the event and brought 10 carloads of donated clothing.
The event was an apt reflection of 草莓影视鈥檚聽mission, according to Tony Zamble, director of University Ministries.
鈥淲e are preparing students for lives of significance and service,鈥� Zamble said. 鈥淧art of our mission is giving students the opportunity to experience the idea of God鈥檚 glory for neighbor鈥檚 good. These people are our neighbors; it鈥檚 a no-brainer that we would be involved.”
So many people donated, Zamble said, that the group hosted a second, smaller-scale event at Peterson Elementary School several days later. Zamble and Vice President for Student Engagement Frank Gaytan said they hope this event is a spark for similar efforts. One idea in discussion is developing student-led English language classes for the migrants.
鈥淲e do these things intentionally because it really is who we are,鈥� Gaytan said. 鈥淎nd not just this single event with the migrants, but we want our students to serve all our neighbors, Chicago, and the world. This is who we are.鈥�
In September, the City of Chicago approved the $1.5 million purchase of the former U.S. Marine Corps facility at 3034 W. Foster Ave. to house 500 migrants for up to 60 days each.