EMSA Holds Clothing Drive Across Tulsa Area

As the winter months are getting close, EMSA is lending a helping hand.

Starting this weekend, the agency will be out in the community, collecting warm clothes for families in the need.

HUGS is actually an acronym, which stands for hats, undergarments, gloves and socks.

And EMSA says it needs new HUGS of all sizes -- for adults and children.

The drive will kick off Saturday, at the main gate of Chapman Stadium, from 1:30-3 p.m. during the University of Tulsa's Homecoming game.

EMT's, paramedics and ambulances will be stationed outside the gate, taking donations.

The program was started by an EMT by the name of Brianne Smedley.

She said she knows that many of the people EMSA serves can't afford heating their homes and they could use a little extra help.

"My hope and goal for this is that we make a good impact on the community and that we will continue to do this year after year, so it just grows more and more each and every year," Brianne Smedley said. "That's my goal."

There will be a total of four HUGS drop-off events between now and next Saturday.

Thursday, October 25
Woodland Hills Mall
Acorn lot entrance by Macy's
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Friday, October 26
IHOP
101 S. Highway 97, Sand Springs
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday, October 27
Village Inn
2745 S. Harvard
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.