It won’t be hammers and drills but tools of a different kind that are collected as Brock participates in a month-long drive for Toolbox Project Niagara.<\/p>\n
Along with a number of other local organizations, the Brock community is being asked to contribute essential \u2018tools\u2019 such as toothbrushes, soap, socks, snacks and first-aid items to give to homeless men during the holiday season. The project’s campaign, run across Niagara in November and December, aims to collect enough donations to fill 500 boxes for 2018.<\/p>\n
The project\u2019s founder, Brock alumnus James Symons (BRLS \u201911), said he could not have undertaken such an ambitious initiative without the lessons he learned at the University.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a student at Brock, I was taught about community \u2014 the power of community \u2014 and was encouraged to volunteer,\u201d Symons said. \u201cI also learned about the importance of turning a negative into a positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was that lesson that prompted Symons to take action when he noticed a gap in service that existed in the region.<\/p>\n
While volunteering with several Niagara organizations, the Thorold resident heard a lot about programs intended to collect donations for women in need \u2014 and nothing about programs specifically for men.<\/p>\n
Since launching the Toolbox Project, Symons has collected hundreds of boxes filled with hygiene items, clothing and books that are distributed to men living in homeless shelters or accessing social services during the holiday season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response has been amazing. It just keeps growing,\u201d said the Recreation and Leisure Studies graduate. \u201cAnd Brock has been great each step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brock President Gervan Fearon said the Toolbox Project is a shining example of the impressive contributions the University\u2019s alumni make to communities across the region and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Brock, we encourage our students, faculty and staff to be engaged citizens and community members,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to enhance that community connection and build partnerships with organizations through actions that affect lives and well-being. The toolbox project is a perfect example of how Brock alumni and the entire University community are making a difference together.\u201d<\/p>\n
To kick-start the campaign, a bin of items for the project was collected by Brock\u2019s Co-op, Career and Experiential Education team during Random Act of Kindness Day, along with active support from the Brock University Students\u2019 Union and Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.<\/p>\n
Monetary donations for the project are accepted through the Socks for Change<\/a> program, which will donate a new pair of socks to the Toolbox Project for every $2 raised. Socks for Change collection containers (in the shape of mannequin legs) are positioned around campus.<\/p>\n Donations for either program will be accepted until Tuesday, Dec. 4 in front of the Student Life and Involvement Commons (MCA 204) and in other participating offices and departments around campus. Units looking to set up collection stations of their own are encouraged to contact Kristen Smith, Manager, Community Outreach Programs at x3845 or Kristen.Smith@brocku.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Needed Toolbox Project donations:<\/p>\n\n