Student’s Veteran’s drive is successful

One UCF student set out to make an impact in the community last March and ended up receiving donations from across the country to benefit the Orlando Veteran's Association.

UCF senior biology major Michael Sosinski began organizing a donation drive in March. Sosinski had planned on signing up for Alternative Spring Break. When he discovered the deadline to sign up had passed, he turned his efforts to starting a letter campaign that urged friends, family, professors, parishioners, corporations and athletic teams to make donations for the Orlando Veteran's Association.

"The donation process kind of took on a life of its own once the letters were sent out. Packages were delivered and bags full of donations were dropped off at our home," Sosinski said.

Sosinski said he has always been involved with community service. He has worked with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and as a Florida Hospital volunteer.

According to Sosinski he decided to start the donation drive after reading recent articles about injured and homeless vets. The articles made him realize what a blessed life he has and although he could not change the vets' situation, he wanted to help them in some small way to let them know that their fellow citizens really do care.

Sosinski can relate to how veterans feel because he has family and friends who have served.

"My dad is a Vietnam vet, my grandpa a WWII vet and I have many high school friends who served or who are presently serving our country," Sosinski said.

Sandra Placencia, chief of Voluntary Services for the VA, said the Orlando VA serves 88,000 veterans. She said all of the donations go directly to the veterans and last year $672,231.49 worth of donations came in.

"It is very important for our veterans to see the support and love given by the community," Placencia said.

Over the course of March and April, Sosinski received more than $4,000 worth of donations. The donations included toiletries, t-shirts, baseball caps, shoes, clothing, athletic team souvenirs and a restaurant gift certificate.

Sosinski said if monetary donations were received, his mother used her coupon savvy and sales clearance knowledge to double or triple the donation amount in gifts.

In addition to friends and family who donated, Sosinski also received donations from doctors, dentists, the UCF biology department, NYPD Pizza, the Orlando Magic, the Miami Dolphins, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Mets, the Minnesota Twins, as well as many anonymous donors.

According to Sosinski, after he graduates in the spring of 2012 and plans on attending medical school in the fall of 2012.

"I was amazed at the outpouring of donations and generosity of so many people," Sosinski said. "I know giving back will continue to be an important part of my life as I continue on into medical school and in my future, as a doctor."

Sosinski has plans to continue the donation drive in the future.

"Community involvement is important for students as it enriches each of our lives while helping others in whatever way we can. It is a responsibility and an important part of our overall education."