6th Annual Coat Drive Benefits D.C. Community
12/4/2008 7:00:00 AM | The Barry & Mary Gossett Center for Acad
Dec. 4, 2008
Organized by ASCDU Assistant Director Natasha Criss, the 2008 Lights On Coat Drive was a huge success. Numerous student-athletes from the football team and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee were spread throughout the Comcast Center collecting coats as spectators walked through the entrances. Some fans donated brand new coats, others donated their gently used coats, and a few fans even donated the coats off their backs. Fans also had a chance to meet Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman, the originator of the annual coat drive. While the event is designed for the greater Washington, D.C. community, the student-athletes had the opportunity to experience the benefits of serving the community.
Stephen St. John, a Redshirt Freshman on the football team, reflects on his participation: "I participated in the 6th Annual `Lights On' Shawne Merriman Coat Drive at the Comcast Center last night because I really enjoy doing community service. I liked the interaction with the Maryland fans while collecting the coats. It was good to be able to get out in the community among Terp fans and use this opportunity to say thank you for the support they give all Maryland athletes. Being from South Carolina and living in the really cold weather here, I see how people in the D.C. Area really would need coats for the winter. I was very excited when one of the fans came in to ask for help with his donation. I was surprised when his donation ended up being 35 coats. The coat drive was a great experience and I look forward to participating again next year."
