Smithfield High Donation Drive To Help Keep Community Warm

SMITHFIELD, RI — The National Honor Society of Smithfield High School is looking to bring a warmer winter to some residents in need through forcing some school, town and public safety officials out into the cold. Officials have pledged to help deliver the goods "in the cold" if enough of them can be collected during the drive that runs from Jan. 8 to Jan. 22.

Smithfield High administrators Dan Kelley, Ken Hopkins, Tammy Koller, Smithfield Town Manager Randy Rossi, Smithfield Police Chief Richard St. Sauveur and senior Smithfield police command staff have pledged to deliver the goods if their respective offices are filled floor to ceiling with balloons equating the value of "warm items" donated.

Some of the suggested donation items and balloon values include: three balloons for every $5 value in gift cards, one balloon for every one non-perishable food item, one balloon for every box of hot chocolate, two balloons for every pair of socks, two balloons for every 12 diapers, two balloons for every pair of earmuffs, three balloons for every winter hat, three balloons for every pair of gloves or mittens, three balloons for every scarf, three balloons for every pair of cabin socks, four balloons for every pair of gently worn shoes, four balloons for each undergarment, five balloons for each gently worn sweater or hooded sweatshirt, five balloons for each new pair of slippers, five balloons for each piece of thermal clothing, six balloons for each blanket, six balloons for each new sweater or hooded sweatshirt, six balloons for each coat, six balloons for each new pair of shoes and six balloons for each sleeping bag.

Other items, and bulk donations, will be valued on an individual basis.

Donations can be dropped off at the Smithfield High main office or cafeteria at 90 Pleasant View Avenue, Smithfield Town Hall at 64 Farnum Pike and the Smithfield Police Station lobby at 215 Pleasant View Avenue.

Donations will be distributed on Jan. 23 to local organizations or charities that help the less fortunate during the winter months.