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In the spirit of giving, Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh is trying to help homeless people in the city of Portland by working alongside New Avenues for Youth, according to Mike Richman of OregonLive.
"This year I'm doing a sleeping bag drive and anybody is welcome to contribute," he said. "I'm just trying to help the homeless youth in the Portland community."
New Avenues for Youth and Vonleh are asking for donations of waterproof sleeping bags, rain gear and winter coats. Donations sites are set up at the Rose Quarter Quarter Box Office and at the New Avenues for Youth office on 1220 SW Columbia Street in Portland. The initiative started in early November and runs through Dec. 19.
According to the City of Portland’s Homelessness Toolkit, there are an estimated 3,800 homeless people in the city, and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates 9,400 in the State of Oregon. Of those, an estimated 1,300 in the state are under the age of 20.
Vonleh has worked with the New Avenues for Youth non-profit charity since his first year in Portland. If you are willing and able, feel free to follow his lead and get involved.