By Andrew Rich
One Love took over Mckeldin Mall on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, as they raised money for victims of domestic violence by selling thrifted clothes to University of Maryland (UMD) students.
This is just the latest fundraiser for One Love, which is a student run organization on the UMD campus dedicated to advocating for healthy relationships, as well as raising awareness about domestic violence.
Over a two to three month period, One Love was able to obtain an incredible amount of donated clothing. “We have more than you see here,” said One Love co-founder and senior neurophysiology major Sahana Kundu. “We’ll be selling like a third of what we have,” said Kundu.
The donated clothes that One Love was not able to sell will be donated to the Clarksburg Community Church. The financial proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to various domestic violence shelters in D.C.
Domestic violence shelters serve as homeless shelters for those who have been forced into homelessness due to domestic violence.
Sophomore Rachel McCrea was walking by and saw the One Love fundraiser. “I don’t know why anybody wouldn’t donate to it,” McCrea said. When asked about the selection of clothes, she said, “Yeah, dude, look at this shirt. I think they got some cool stuff.”
Sophomore Jaclyn Welfeld detailed why she got involved in One Love. “I got involved last year. I decided to start getting involved because I’m passionate about it.”
“We’re doing this to raise money for those shelters and to give them resources to buy things. That’s our mission,” Welfed said.
The clothes available at the Mckeldin Mall ranged in price from a bin of $2 clothes to some items listed at $16. The selection ranged from pants, to skirts, to t-shirts and even dresses. Less than 10 minutes after the stand opened, dozens of students gathered to take a look around at the clothes and take some home with them.
The fundraiser had more to offer besides clothes. There was also an ice cream table as well as other mini games that involved learning more about healthy relationships and how to take care of yourself while in a relationship.
Signs around the stand presented guidelines for a healthy relationship. Students working with One Love handed out cards with relationship tips to all the students browsing the clothing selection.
One Love continues to advocate for their cause through fundraisers and other workshops.
Learn more at One Love.
