By MARK VAGELAKOS
Nursing his chemical wounds with a rag, his only thought was whether he would be able to be healthy enough to work to provide for his family at home. Making under minimum wage, migrant agricultural workers rarely have enough money to afford healthcare for the sunburns and chemical damages they incur.
To help alleviate the dangers of the workers, Spanish Club began their 6th annual “Shirt Off Your Back” drive at the beginning of January, which will run to March 23, the start of spring break.
The club collects open-front shirts for migrant agricultural workers who are exposed to chemical pesticides, as well as the environment and sunlight.
“I saw the need after reading that migrant workers only make 20 cents per pound of tomatoes they pick and most don’t get healthcare. They need all the help they can get to protect their health,” Spanish Club sponsor Connie Heiselman said.
The clothes drive usually brings in about 800 shirts every year, which Spanish Club then gives to Catholic Charity that distributes them to the workers. Their goal is to raise over 800 shirts. To donate shirts, contact any Spanish Club member or drop them off in Room 10.203.
“It’s something that doesn’t cost us much money but is really good. Just cleaning out our closests or asking relatives for old shirts makes a difference and you know it goes toward a worthy cause,” Heiselman said.