Members of Penn State Shenango's Occupational Therapy Assistant Club and Officer Jim Castelli load donated items into the Shenango University Police vehicle for the "Cram the Cruiser" donation drive.
Sharon, Pa. — The Penn State Shenango Occupational Therapist Assistant Club partnered with University Police and Public Safety to hold a donation drive benefiting Joshua’s Haven City Mission. The donation drive was part of University Police’s “Cram the Cruiser” initiative held from Oct. 17 through Nov. 10.
Joshua’s Haven City Mission is a nonprofit organization that offers temporary emergency shelter for homeless men in the Sharon community and surrounding areas. The organization also provides meals, support services, and spiritual programs for those in need.
During the donation drive, university police and OTA students collected essential items such as bottled water, food, and personal hygiene products that can be immediately distributed to individuals seeking aid at Joshua’s Haven.
As we enter the holiday season, being able to give back to the community is something that brings joy for OTA students Ellie McCombs and Adyson Kratko.
"We feel that it is important to help in our community, and being able to help Joshua’s Haven in this way has been a great experience,” they said while stuffing the Penn State Shenango police cruiser full of donated items.
This was the first time that Shenango campus police and members of the OTA Club have teamed up for the fundraiser. Officer Jim Castelli hopes the partnership will continue.
"It was an honor partnering with the OTA Club on the Cram the Cruiser drive,” Castelli said. “I am blessed to work with such dedicated students.”
