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Donating to annual blanket and jacket drive will help keep residents warm

(Las Cruces) -- Starting this month, residents of Dona Ana County can help their neighbors in need by donating new and used blankets and coats for children and adults at the Department of Health's Las Cruces Public Health Office.

The New Mexico Department of Health's Las Cruces Public Health Office will hold the fourth annual blanket and jacket drive called "Warm Up Las Cruces" from November until the last week in February 2010. Clean or new blankets and jackets can be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the north reception desk of the Las Cruces Public Health Office, located at 1170 North Solano Drive. Department of Health staff will take all donated items to local public service agencies that will distribute the jackets and blankets to those in need.

Ray Stewart, director of public health services in southwestern New Mexico, said the annual event has proven to be very beneficial for several families in Dona Ana County. While a clothing drive is not part of the everyday services offered by the Department, Stewart said the number of residents who visit the Public Health Office every week and the central location of the office make it the perfect venue for the program.

"In terms of day-to-day services, a clothing drive is not something we are used to doing, but in terms of helping the community, we have a dedicated staff who are always willing to go above and beyond to help those in need," Stewart said. "We hear news every day about the bad economy and how many people are struggling to make ends meet. Now more than ever people need to do their part to help the community and those in need Over the last four years this program has been very successful largely in part to the generosity of the community. I am confident that this year will be no different."

Eleanor Smith, who, as a nutritionist with the Women Infants and Children Program at the Las Cruces Public Health Office, started the "Warm Up Las Cruces" in 2005 with other WIC and clinic staff at the Las Cruces Public Health Office, said the idea came from staff noticing that sometimes clients visit the office during the winter months with a very thin jacket or no coat at all.