Salina Shares
The memory of a loved one has inspired the “Drop your Drawers” Underwear Drive to collect new, unopened underwear for all members of the family.
On June 1, 2019, Shawn Hynes was killed in a car accident in rural Saline County. To honor his memory, his family reflected on how they liked to tease him about his refusal to buy his own new underwear and instead waiting on his mom to gift them on birthdays and Christmas, even at 40 years old!
The first event was held in 2021 and resulted in more than 350 packages and 2,650 pairs of underwear being collected and gifted to Salina Shares for distribution.
“At Salina Shares, we call it (underwear) a ‘dignity item.’ It can be embarrassing to ask for, and because it is such a personal item, most people prefer not to purchase it secondhand,” said Debbie Rivers, founder and director of Salina Shares.
Last year’s haul of underwear was distributed in a variety of ways including directly to the men, women, and children served in the day-to-day operations of Salina Shares. More than 150 children were recipients at Christmas when their families took part in the Salina Shares Christmas Store, and still, many more packages were gifted to Salina elementary schools and Opportunity Now.
All sizes of men’s, women’s, boy’s, and girl’s underwear are appreciated, although, men’s sizes 28/30 and 32/34 were depleted first last year as those sizes fit both teens and adults. Donations can be dropped off until June 30 at participating businesses including Culligan Water, Edward Jones (S. Ohio), Equity Bank, Firefly Salon, First Bank Kansas (S. Ninth and Santa Fe locations), Hair Affaire, Heartland Worship Center, Les Groom, On the Pot, Sanity Boutique, and Soggy Dog Salon.
“We are so grateful for this ‘Drop your Drawers’ collection. It turns our attention to what so many of us take for granted and affirms the dignity of all the recipients,” Rivers said.
For questions specifically related to “Drop your Drawers,” you may contact: Katie Schneider directly at 785-822-4279 or by e-mail at [email protected].