Carle Illinois Students Launch Humanitarian Relief Drive

A group of students at Carle Illinois College of Medicine is partnering with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund to spread awareness and launch a winter relief drive for civilians affected by the ongoing events in Gaza and Israel.

“The Winter Relief Drive is crucial as it aims to provide a lifeline for thousands of child refugees who are amidst a humanitarian crisis and about to face the impending harsh winter without proper access to essentials like food, water, shelter, and medicine,” said first-year medical student and co-organizer Mohamed Odeh. “We are collecting new and like new fall and winter clothing for children and are collecting funds specifically for necessary medical supplies and critical services currently lacking and food that our partner, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, is able to deliver on the ground.”

The student-led effort is aiming to collect children’s fall and winter clothing, with adult clothing also being accepted. Those looking to support medical aid and food efforts can also find information about how to donate visit https://linktr.ee/p crfuiuc.

“On a personal level, this Winter Relief Drive has a deep connection for me,” said Carle Illinois alumnus and co-organizer Dr. Bara Saadah. “Champaign-Urbana is where I belong and like many others is home for me, but my roots tie me to Palestine, and specifically Gaza, where my family resides. Over the past two months, I've experienced personal devastating loss of several family members and the uncertainty surrounding the well-being of my remaining family. As winter approaches, I hope no family in Champaign-Urbana or worldwide must endure what mine is going through.”

The winter relief drive kicks off on Friday, December 1 and runs through Friday, December 15. Donations can be dropped off at several locations, including Room 171 in the Medical Sciences Building (506 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61802), the Illini Union (1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801) indoors next to the Quad and at the Muslim American Society (2011 Brownfield Rd, Urbana, IL 61802).

Drop-off dates and time for each location include:

• Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center

106 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61801

• • Any day between 1pm – 7pm
    
    
• Medical Sciences Building
  • December 4 | 1-5 PM
  • December 6 | 1-5 PM
  • December 8 | 1-5 PM
  • December 11 | 1-5 PM
  • December 13 | 1-5 PM
  • December 15 | 1-5 PM
    
    
• Muslim American Society

       2011 Brownfield Rd, Urbana, IL 61802

• • December 2 | 10 AM-3 PM
  • December 9 | 10 AM-3 PM

*Drop off dates are available for December 5, 7, 12, 14. Please check https://linktr.ee/p crfuiuc for specific locations.

For more information, contact pcrf.uiuc@gmail.com or on Instagram (@pcrf_uiuc).