Donations

Taking donations to El Salvador is one critical aspect of the trip. Though collecting and taking donations is optional, and a student run venture, the need in El Salvador is so great that every little bit helps improve quality of life. In the past, students have organized together to collect donations and at other times, they have done so on an individual basis. It is important to ask those in the group what resources they have access to as it can be a tremendous, and unexpected, boost in what you are able to collect. In 2005, for example, one group member had a relative that worked at Alticor and another had a friend at Phizer. These were incredible resources for our collection of donations. We sought all types of items, including cash. We were able to spend some of the cash purchasing over the counter medications (for adults and children), clean undergarments, toothbrushes, clothing, soap, and other hygienic items, as well as art supplies and toys for the children at the dollar store and the dollar general stores. We also sought donations of “gently used” clothing and shoes to take. Before we knew it, we were each able to take at least one full suitcase for donations as well as nearly $1000 in cash. The majority of the donations go to the agencies visited by the group, as well as the families that host the students. It is the decision of the group as to which donations go to which groups. Please consider taking these actions- it takes little time and effort on behalf of us as students, and yet drastically impacts the lives of those in such need.