Why Our Clothing Drive Matters—And How It’s Changing the Game

Seven years ago, Youthlinc launched our Clothing Drive in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah—and it’s become one of our most effective, community-centered fundraising traditions. Thank you to Jerika Mays and Mike Denison for your vision!

Before this partnership began, each committee on each Service Year team was expected to run their own fundraisers. That meant dozens of small events, a lot of stress for students and families, and inconsistent results. By uniting our efforts into one shared initiative, we found a smarter solution.

Here’s how it works: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah collects donated clothing and household items and sells them through Savers. A portion of the proceeds directly supports Youthlinc programs. It’s simple, sustainable, and impactful—and it gives our students a meaningful way to earn local service hours.

Even better? The drive supports two Utah-based nonprofits. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah uses the funds to fuel its mission: “to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.” And Youthlinc invests the proceeds to support the international projects our volunteers plan and participate in through partnership with over a dozen international nonprofits all over the world.

This drive is more than a fundraiser. It’s a powerful example of what happens when local service, youth empowerment, and sustainable fundraising come together.

This Year’s Drive: Record-Breaking Results

We are thrilled to share the incredible success of this year’s Clothing Drive. Over four action-packed weekends, Youthlinc teams came together with purpose and passion—collecting, sorting, and loading donations to support meaningful causes both locally and globally.

The Results Were Historic

With a combined total of 275,803 pounds of clothing collected, we officially hosted the largest clothing drive in Utah. These donations filled seven 53-foot semi-trailers and three additional trucks—a monumental achievement made possible by the dedication of our volunteers and team leaders.

Participation Highlights:

• 16 Service Year and RootEd Global teams involved

• 413 volunteers participated

• 5 weekends of coordinated, team-based service

Environmental & Social Impact

• 275,803 pounds of clothing diverted from landfills—equal to 140 tons or roughly 5,500 full trash bins

• Donations repurposed to reduce textile waste and promote sustainability

• Proceeds directly support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah’s mentoring programs

• A portion of funds also supports Youthlinc’s international service projects

The Ripple Effect of Service

This clothing drive is a shining example of how local action creates global impact. Through teamwork, compassion, and service, our volunteers contributed to environmental preservation, empowered Utah’s youth, and supported sustainable development work abroad.

Thank you to every participant, team leader, and community partner who made this possible. Together, we’re building a legacy of service—one donation, one team, one act of kindness at a time.