The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Alumnus provides blankets for homeless

Alumnus provides blankets for homeless

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Homelessness is an issue that plagues cities across the globe.

In Dallas County alone, nearly 3,000 men, women and children are displaced and without a permanent home. With A Purpose, a national for-profit social impact company, is hoping to improve the quality of living for homeless populations one blanket at a time.

“Come Christmas time, this new blanket, what it could represent for these women and these children is comfort,” said Hailey Bain, a communications manager for Genesis Women’s Shelter. “We are very excited for the first [blanket] drop-off.”

Josh Helland, an SMU alumnus, launched With A Purpose in 2012. Unlike traditional for-profit companies, With A Purpose sells officially licensed college gear with a bold mission in mind — to help fight domestic social issues at the local level. With A Purpose achieves this goal with a one-for-one model similar to TOMS shoes. For every fleece blanket purchased, a matching non-licensed blanket is donated to local organizations aiding homeless populations.

“What TOMS does is great, but who they serve is somewhere else in the world, internationally based,” Helland said.

“Our focus is buy local, give local. We want people to support their communities.”

SMU Mustang blankets available for purchase benefit the Austin Street, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, Family Gateway, and Genesis Women’s Shelter, a shelter for women and children who become homeless after escaping domestic abuse.

“Sometimes [people] come to us in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on their back. That’s no comfort, or blanket,” Bain said. “A woman last year for Christmas made her list and all she wanted was a green blanket.”

With A Purpose completed their first blanket drop in San Diego, Calif. last week. More than 100 blankets, supported by the San Diego State University Aztecs blanket purchases, went to local non-profit Dreams for Change Safe Parking Program, a program that provides safe parking environments for transitional homeless victims living in their car.

Through word of mouth and hard work, Helland plans to expand With A Purpose to more college campuses and fans.

For more information on With A Purpose, visit with-a-purpose.co. A Dallas blanket drop is tentatively set for Dec. 28. Students interested in getting involved are encouraged to visit “SMU Blanket for a Blanket” on Facebook for regular updates.

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