The Department of Public Safety is leading its fourth Holiday Purple Box campaign to help families displaced because of domestic violence. Throughout November, there will be Purple Boxes at points across campus for donations of new items, which will go to survivors of domestic violence and their families in the Rochester area. These items are distributed at the Willow Domestic Violence Center shelter during the holidays and for celebrations throughout the year. Members of the University community can donate new items to the Purple Boxes now through Dec. 3. The purple boxes are located:
- River Campus: Public Safety Headquarters, 612 Wilson Boulevard
- Medical Center Public Safety Crime Prevention Office, G-6009
- Strong Memorial Hospital Main Lobby, 1-1400
- River Campus: Taylor Hall, Main Entrance (Title IX Office)
- River Campus: University Health Services Library – 2nd floor
- Eastman Student Living Center – Public Safety Office
- Memorial Art Gallery – 1st & 2nd floor Cutler Union & dock
- University Facilities Center (E. River Rd.) – 1st and 2nd floor waiting areas
- Strong West Hospital Brockport, NY – by the registration desk
- 145 Sully’s Trail, Suite 1, Pittsford, NY 14534 (Pediatric Dental Office)
The Willow Center’s Purple Box campaign launches at this time each year in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Public Safety officers join with other law enforcement leaders from Rochester area police departments to help make the holidays a little brighter for those families who are in the shelter. Willow Center families have survived trauma, violence, abuse, and relocation and are just beginning their journey to a safe and empowered life. The children in the shelter are away from everything familiar to them–their home, their toys, their friends. A kind gesture of providing new toys can give a child in crisis a sense of normalcy and hope. The children are also allowed to pick out gifts for their mothers for the holidays.
The Willow Center’s Holiday Wish List outlines the type of donations accepted and most needed. Here are some ideas:
All:
Clothing and pajamas (sizes infant – 14/16 boys and girls)
Sneakers and boots
Coats and snow pants
Toddlers:
Musical toys
Soft blocks and plush toys
Tummy time play mats
Picture Books
Preschool:
Cars, trucks and superheroes
Multicultural baby dolls, Disney princess & Barbie dolls
LeapFrog toys
Play food and grocery sets
Dinosaurs & zoo animal toys
Wii games (rated E)
Books
School Age:
Arts and crafts sets
Remote control cars
Fire trucks & Hot Wheels
Board games (UNO, Trouble, Sorry, Monopoly)
Books
Teens:
Journals
Perfume/ Makeup/Cologne
Yoga pants
MP3 players
Sports team hoodies and hats
Flannel pants
Gift cards – Walmart, Target, Old Navy, iTunes
Play Station 3 Games – E for everyone
Parents:
Pajamas/Robes
Bath sets
Journals
Slippers
Bath Towels
Gift cards
For more information about the Department of Public Safety’s Purple Box campaign, contact Investigator Lorri Strem at 275-7410; Lt. Keri Stein at 275-0023; Tiffany Street, Assistant Dir. Educational Outreach at Title IX Office at 273-1596; or for Strong Memorial Hospital, Captain Cindy Coates at 273-5022.
