December 2, 2003 — The University of Utah’s Premed Chapter of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) will sponsor its second annual “Cure For The Cold” campaign to help the homeless. The event is designed to raise awareness of homeless issues while providing an opportunity for students, faculty and staff, community members and local businesses to make a meaningful contribution to Salt Lake’s homeless population.

This year’s “Cure For The Cold” event will begin with an opening ceremony on Dec. 4th, from 4 until 5 p.m., in front of the Park Building, located at the top of the University’s Presidents Circle, 200 S. 1400 E. Mayor Rocky Anderson will address the gathering and Pamela Atkinson, an advocate for the homeless, will be the keynote speaker. In a symbolic gesture of support for the homeless, U of U premedical and medical students will spend that afternoon and all night, until Fri., Dec. 5th at noon, braving the elements and collecting donations.

“It is a gesture of gratitude during the holiday season for people to help others out. The homeless have so little, it’s nice to be able to do something to give them a little warmth during the winter,” notes Andy Davies, president of the U’s Premedical Chapter of AMSA.

The University medical students already have collected nearly 70 coats. In October they partnered with Gart Sports. Shoppers who donated a used coat to the project received 25 percent off the price of a new coat. Last Friday the students distributed “Cure for the Cold” fliers at area malls, where shoppers also donated food and money.

The “Cure for the Cold” volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food, winter wear and monetary donations for the homeless. All food items collected will go to the Utah Food Bank. All winter wear, such as blankets, coats, gloves and boots, will be donated to the Salt Lake Rescue Mission and Road Home. All proceeds will be given to the Fourth Street Clinic to help meet the health care needs of the homeless in Salt Lake City.

Last year the “Cure for the Cold” project netted nearly 600 pounds of food for the Utah Food Bank, more than 60 boxes of blankets and winter wear for the two homeless shelters and more than $1,000 for the Fourth Street Clinic.

To support “Cure for the Cold” efforts, the Salt Lake City Health Department will offer $15 flu shots on Fri., Dec. 5th, from 8 until 10 a.m., also in front of the Park Building on the U’s Presidents Circle

Tax-deductible monetary donations can be made to “Cure For The Cold” at any Wells Fargo bank through the end of the year. For more information, go to www.cureforthecold.org or call 801-556-0587. Questions can be sent via e-mail to cureforthecold@hotmail.com.