Merriman to Host 17th Annual Coat Drive
12/4/2019 5:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Share The Shell
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former Maryland football standout and NFL All-Pro, Shawne Merriman, will hold his annual "Lights On" Foundation Coat Drive prior to this Saturday's Maryland-Illinois men's basketball game, which is scheduled to tip at 5:00 p.m. at XFINITY Center.
This will mark the 17th year of Merriman's coat drive, which will benefit homeless Veterans in the greater Maryland and Washington DC area. The "Lights On" Foundation has identified a number of local non-profit organizations that specifically cater to homeless and displaced US Veterans.
Student-athlete volunteers will be on hand to collect gently-used coats, hats, scarves and other cold weather gear at designated entrances of XFINITY Center starting at 3:30 p.m. Collection will end at 5:30 p.m. Collection bins will be set up at Gate A (South Plaza Gate/Main Public Entrance), Gate B (North Plaza Gate) and Gate E (Garage Concourse Gate).
Initiated while still a student at Maryland, Merriman's Lights On Foundation has collected more than 25,000 coats over the past 16 years to benefit numerous communities in the local area as well as those affected by Hurricane Sandy in the New York and New Jersey area in 2012.
Merriman's Lights On Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for youth and to help the homeless. Merriman donates time, money and other resources throughout the country by increasing opportunities for children to lead healthy and fulfilling lives through his foundation. By building corporate partnerships within the community, Merriman is able to provide financial assistance to projects focusing primarily on helping the homeless and children in need.
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