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Donations sought for Seita Welcome Packs

July 28, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will welcome its second group of Seita Scholars this fall, and many of these students, who have aged out of the foster care system, will arrive without basic items to help make their school year successful.

The Seita Scholars program is collecting new items for Welcome Packs for these students and is in need of essential living and personal health care products. The goal is to have enough items for 50 baskets by Tuesday, Aug. 18. Baskets will be given to incoming Seita Scholars--former foster youth who qualify for the program, which offers free tuition and provides campus housing during breaks as well as other support services.

Recipients of the past year's Welcome Packs were grateful for the outpouring of support they received with the gifts and wrote that the baskets helped them get a start toward a successful year.

"I spent months worrying about how I was going to buy all the things I needed for my dorm, and when I arrived, you had a welcome pack for me which was a lifesaver! I appreciate all the help and support of you guys, and I hope that others after myself will be blessed with your giving," wrote one student.

"It's hard for kids going to college to remember exactly everything we need. The welcome packs helped to show maybe we do need the small stuff, and we didn't need to worry about those and for us to concentrate on our classes," another student wrote.

The program is named for Dr. John Seita, a WMU alumnus who is a nationally known advocate for foster-care youth.

Essential items for the Welcome Packs

  • laundry basket, rectangular
  • laundry detergent
  • twin mattress pad
  • twin jersey sheet set
  • twin blanket
  • twin comforter
  • hypoallergenic pillow
  • two bath towels, one hand towel and five washcloths
  • clock radio with alarm
  • plastic shower caddy

Additional items

  • deodorant
  • shampoo and conditioner
  • lotion
  • shaving cream/gel and razors
  • shower shoes
  • baby oil
  • body wash
  • bathing sponges/puffs
  • baby powder
  • shower caps
  • unscented feminine hygiene products
  • two bars of soap
  • toothbrush and toothpaste

For more information or to make a donation, contact Juwan Watson at seita-scholars@wmich.edu or (269) 387-8362.

Media contact: Deanne Puca, (269) 387-8400, deanne.puca@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/news