MANCHESTER — UNH Manchester students in the introductory Community Leadership Course spent Thursday night sleeping in Arms Park to raise awareness of homelessness and poverty in New Hampshire and to launch its annual Warmth from the Millyard warm clothing drive. The clothing drive runs through Nov. 16.

Since 2007, the students at UNH Manchester have collected and distributed lightly used winter clothing, such as new socks and long underwear, to community members in need.

UNH Manchester’s VISTA member Elizabeth Brideau said the goal of 2,500 items is reachable.

While some partners, like the NH DOT collect clothing for all ages, Brideau said some partners specific goals. For example, she said: “Elementary Schools have jackets that they’ve outgrown,” Those jackets are often lightly worn because they are so quickly outgrown, she said, and go to groups like Child and Family Services and The Way Home. “We go by needs,” said Brideau. Some needs are universal, she said. “Everybody needs their feet to stay warm,” said Brideau, but the homeless population also really needs new long underwear. Boots for both children and adults are a popular item in the region’s snowy, cold winter.

“Warmth from the Millyard” is a student-run, project-based learning experience and has collected a total of more than 13,000 clothing items, not counting the NH DOT’s and Lions Clubs’ contributions, since its start in 2007.

While the public focus is on the donation and clothing distribution, the project is a leadership development project that demonstrates how to mobilize individuals and community partners into collaborative action through specific projects. Students develop skills in asset management, strategic planning, project management, community action and engagement, communication, and public speaking.

There will be clothing drop-off bins at the UNH Manchester campus with community service students at a table in the lobby at 400 Commercial St. on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Brideau at 641-4360, or email elizabeth.brideau@unh.edu