6th-Grader Holds Career-Related Clothing Drive

After organizing three shoe drives in town, a local middle school student is at it again but this time she is collecting career-related clothes. 

Sixth-grader Avika Bansa will conduct the clothing drive between Saturday and June 15. Those who have new or slightly used career-related clothes can drop them off at Mt. Pleasant Middle School, the Livingston High School or the Livingston Senior Community Center.

Suggested donations include: wearable suits, ties, blazers, dress shirts, belts, ties, briefcases, portfolios, tie clips and cufflinks. The clothing will be donated to young men and women at Covenant House, a nonprofit charity serving homeless youth with a network of shelters in Newark. 

Bansa will be honored by the Livingston Township Council for her efforts on Monday night. She will receive a proclamation for her community efforts and involvement with the Livingston Youth and Community Services Leaders Program.

Her father’s outdated ties inspired Avika’s latest drive. While playing with one, he mentioned that she should take good care of it since it was pretty expensive, but a little outdated. She happily wore it for the whole weekend.

But soon her interest faded away and she thought, "I don't need this tie. Maybe I can donate it to someone who really needs it and can make good use of it." 

Bansa rummaged through her parents' closet looking for their old work clothes, just sitting there to find new life again. The family approached Covenant House in Newark, and this clothing drive was born.