Nov. 19, 2009

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore cheerleaders will sponsor a clothing drive for their holiday charity in support of Girls Educational Mentoring Services (GEMS) starting Thursday, Dec. 3.

The cheerleaders ask that UMES students donate female apparel and/or accessories that may be considered a favorite, gently worn and cleaned item. The purpose of the favorite item contribution is to donate something of yourself in order to reflect upon the blessings of sacrifice and giving back.

GEMS is also in need of girls and ladies new undergarments (with original tags attached or items in original package). It has also been expressed that the young ladies favor body sprays and lotions.

Donation boxes will be set up in the lobby of the W.P. Hytche Athletic Center starting Thursday, Dec. 3 through Friday, Dec. 11.

Donations to help with the cost to ship the items to the GEMS headquarters in New York City would also be greatly appreciated.

The GEMS program is located in New York, N.Y. and their mission is to empower young women, ages 12 to 21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their potential. GEMS is committed to ending the commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth.

For more information regarding the donation drive, please contact Dee Artis at cheerquake@aol.com or Anne Carter at alcarter@umes.edu or (410) 651-847.

For more information regarding the GEMS project, visit their web site at www.gems-girls.org or contact their office at (212) 926-8089.