HB Construction Hosts Annual Winter Clothing Drive to Benefit Joy Junction

In an effort to help Albuquerque’s homeless population stay warm this winter, HB Construction will be collecting new winter clothing items for Joy Junction Nov. 28 - Dec. 16 at the company’s headquarters, 5301 Beverly Hills NE, for it’s annual Share the Warmth winter clothing drive.

"Having a coat, blanket or a sleeping bag could, quite literally, mean the difference between life and death for a homeless person. The cold days we’re experiencing serve to underscore this point," said Joy Junction Founder and CEO Jeremy Reynalds. "Winter clothing items are so important - in fact - essential for us to be able to give our clients...we give what we have, but the demand is always higher than the supply."

The drive will be collecting new hats, coats, gloves, scarves, socks, blankets, sleeping bags and other winter items at HB Construction’s headquarters located at 5301 Beverly Hills NE, near balloon fiesta park. Along with the winter clothing items, the drive will also be collecting monetary donations for Joy Junction.

This year’s clothing drive will also feature a special meet-and-greet donation event where guests will get to meet with UNM Baseball Coach Ray Birmingham and HB Construction’s staff while enjoying refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.

Last year, Joy Junction distributed hundreds of winter clothing items including sleeping bags and blankets to people throughout the city and, given the economic recession and Albuquerque’s recent freezing cold temperatures, even more items are expected to be given out this year.

"Last year we had truckloads of winter clothes and this year we’re hoping to collect even more," said President and CEO of HB Construction Jason W. Harrington. "Joy Junction provides such a critical service to this community and I’m glad we can support them in their mission to help the less fortunate."

In 2010, HB Construction’s Share the Warmth winter clothing drive collected more than $1,000 worth of winter clothing items for programs at Holy Cross Hospital and Ancianos Senior Center, both in Taos, NM.

Joy Junction is a 25-year-old, privately funded, non-profit organization which offers homeless men, women, children and families throughout Albuquerque, emergency and short-term food, housing, clothing, counseling and professional development opportunities. As New Mexico’s largest emergency shelter, Joy Junction serves approximately 300 people every day and more than 100,000 meals each year.