A pair of fresh, clean, brand-spankin’ new underwear. One of the most needed, most requested items at shelters and support centers. But most people don’t think to donate it. Now, four shopping centers in Jefferson County are hoping some unique events and a bit of humor will change that.
Janet Jerde does marketing for Aspen Grove and Belmar, two of the participating shopping centers. She said the goal of what’s been officially designated as "The Undies Project" is simple. The four centers involved want to collect 25,000 pairs of underwear to donate to The Action Center, a Lakewood-based nonprofit providing a multitude of services to those in need.
Jerde said Belmar and Aspen Grove, along with Bowles Crossing and The Orchard Town Center, have come up with a multitude of fun ways for people to donate new underwear for children, women and men in need throughout the month of August.
Some of that f-undie-raising fun will revolve around an attempt to set three underwear-related world records, one of which the public can be a part of during The Undies Project 5K on Aug. 21. The first 30 people to raise $1,000 for The Undies Project will have the opportunity to attempt the world record of the most times to jump into a pair of underwear in 30 seconds.
“Shopping centers generally focus solely on their specific trade areas and rarely have opportunities to join forces with other properties or shopping center developers, but we are changing that,” Jerde said. “There’s power in numbers and through our collaboration, these small acts of kindness throughout the month of August will help to transform the lives of those in need in our community.”
Other Undies Project activities include Tighty Whitey Bingo and Trivia Nights, an Earn Your Beer Fitness Camp — where those who take part in a 60-minute fitness class are rewarded with a cold beer afterwards — and an Uncorked Lakewood Wine Fest, just to name a few.
There will be rotating collection bins — at each event and each participating shopping area — so it’s easy to donate even if you don’t want to take part in an event. Jerde said timing of the events should coincide nicely with back-to-school shopping. She hopes those in a position to do so, might purchase a few new pairs of underwear for someone less fortunate while they’re getting their own kiddos ready to start the new school year.
“I know lots of people are struggling right now, so we’re not trying to put a huge burden on people,” Jerde said. “So, we’re tying the giving to events, so that people can come out to do something fun like the Tighty Whitey Bingo Night. It’s a free event and if you donate a 3-pack of underwear for men or boys, you get a ten-ounce beer. We're just trying to make it fun and open the door to the conversation that people are in need and if we can help them by giving some free, new underwear, they can use their money for other things like food, school supplies, gas or whatever else they need.”
Most Undies Project events are free. A few have an admission price, but Jerde said that money, along with any cash donations received, will be given to The Action Center to purchase underwear for the cause.
Learn more about The Undies Project at aspengrovecenter.com/event/the-undies-project.
