Jan. 3, 2011

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The eighth-annual Light's On Foundation Coat Drive will be held Tuesday during the Maryland men's basketball game vs. Colgate (8 p.m. tip).

Over the past seven years, the foundation of former Terp football player Shawne Merriman has collected over 17,500 coats for the benefit of the Community for Creative Non-violence Shelter in Washington, D.C.

Current Terrapin student-athletes, along with Merriman, will be accepting donated items of new or gently-used coats, hats, scarves, and other warm clothing as soon as the gates open at 6:30 p.m. The collection will continue until the end of the first half at Gates A and E.

Fans unable to make it to the game can drop off donations until Friday in the Academic Center on the first floor of the Comcast Center. The hours for the drop-off are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.