That pair of jeans that has been taking up space in your closet? Dust ‘em off and drop them off at Cochrane High School. Beginning Feb. 3, a group of seniors at the high school will be collecting jeans — of all sizes and styles — for homeless youth. Called Teens for Jeans, the collection campaign is a joint initiative between DoSomething.org and clothing retailer Aeropostale.
The denim campaign caught the eye of Bree Baskin, a Grade 12 student from CHS. “It hits close to home — youth homelessness is huge in Cochrane,” she said, adding that she knows of at least 10 homeless youth. “People don’t realize what a huge issue it is.”
The campaign inspired Baskin, and three of her classmates, to contact DoSomething.org and jump into action. As of the end of January, the group had already collected about 80 pairs of jeans.
Baskin said she’s hoping to collect 1,000 pairs of jeans.
“All jeans will be accepted — as long as they can be worn again,” said Baskin.
Jeans can be dropped into a collection bin inside the CHS office during school hours. Both students and the public can make donations. Jeans will be collected until Feb. 13. This is the seventh year for the Teens for Jeans campaign.
Since it’s inception, the initiative has collected more than 3.5 million pairs of jeans. Last year, 44,000 jeans were collected and distributed in Canada.
Participants with the Teens for Jeans initiative are eligible to receive a learning grant for their school, as well as a chance at a scholarship.
