Anonymous Group of Women Transform the College Experience in Barrio Logan

 

Warm Dorm Donations 2006

San Diego, CA – July 24, 2006

Barrio Logan College Institute’s graduating seniors have never met the ladies from Warm Dorm; chances are, they never will.  Yet next year they will think of this group of local women every time they do laundry, turn on the fan, or go to bed. 

         

Warm Dorm was founded by a group of San Diegan women a few years ago, in response to the news that many BLCI students must decide between buying books and “luxuries” like comforters, laundry hampers, and alarm clocks, and decided to do something about it. 

The ladies purchase college supplies for each senior, then deliver the gifts themselves – anonymously.  

The tradition continued last week, as our ten graduating seniors opened the gifts with family and friends. In a package bursting with supplies, the favorite this year was the Blizzard Jr. Fan. 

“This is the best thing in here!” said Alva Monsalvo, who looks forward to staying cool at UCSD this fall. 

Others had this to say:      

“This is like a dream come true for me. My parents and I have been so worried about how I was going to buy books and supplies next year, and now I don’t have to worry about that.  Thank you so much!"  – Maria Garduño, bound for Southwestern College

"I spoke with the coordinator of Warm Dorm, and we both ended up crying.  The generosity and thoughtfulness of these women is amazing.  It is so much fun to our kids get to open the gifts with their parents, and celebrate how hard they’ve worked.  The Warm Dorm ladies look at this as a reward, not a donation." – Jennie Lange, BLCI High School Program Coordinator 

The raid on Target for college gear has become as much a summer tradition as a graduation party.  For parents, it is comforting – you can worry all you want about the quality of dorm food or prospective roommates, but a family shopping trip ensures that your child has plenty of clean towels, warm blankets, and something to spoon Ramen out of during late night study sessions. 

For many Barrio Logan families, this well-intentioned spree is a financial impossibility – and a slight cause for concern for students about to leave their close-knit families for the first time. 

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the warm Dorm ladies, however, BLCI families can rest easy – and students can look forward to an exciting year as the first in their families to go to college! 

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