By Emmanuella Aina
In preparation for the demolition of the Quadrangle on-campus residential community, the existing furniture that was once used by students in Law, Taub, Oberholtzer, Settegast and Bates halls would have to be removed and relocated.
Senior Project Manager Dean Ruck and Assistant Project Manager Angelica Olivos were challenged to research the UH surplus property process to donate surplus furniture to two charities: Families of Freedom and Hands of Healing.
Donating slightly used furniture reduces material going into a landfill and can continue to be utilized by those in need.
Families of Freedom and Hands of Healing are a part of a pre-approved list of surplus accepting organizations who had been contacted prior to Harvey but had initially declined the donation. However, after the hurricane but unrelated to its effects, these charities saw the need to accept the furniture to assist battered women and their families as well as homeless people on a quest for a better life.
With the help of Raymon Matthews in the UH surplus property warehouse, it was verified that both charities were pre-approved by the state to accept donations from the University. Olivos said moving the furniture was a month-long process that needed coordination and a great team effort.
Olivos said the directors of Hands of Healing and Families to Freedom were extremely grateful for the donations they received just in time for the holidays. Now that she is aware of the furniture donation process, Olivos is willing to help guide and direct others on campus through any similar situation. She said it was a great experience working together with these charities and they are forever thankful to the University.