Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324


Nov. 21, 2019 -- What started as just an idea a few weeks ago has come to fruition for North Central College's Eric Outlaw, as his selfless act of kindness will provide some of Chicago's less fortunate with supplies to persevere through the brutal Midwest winter.

Outlaw, a senior on the North Central baseball team, came up with the idea of stuffing backpacks full of necessary winter garments and distributing them to the homeless in Chicago, an idea that wasn't generated for a class project but out of the kindness of his own heart.

"The first post was on November 5^th and I'd had the idea about a week before," said Outlaw.  "It was just something that was the right time of the year and something a lot of people can get behind.  We all have stuff in our houses that we aren't using that can be useful for someone else.

I bounced the idea off some friends and they said to just go for it, so I made a post to social media and it took off after that, people reached out wanting to help."

Outlaw and his group of friends are accepting donations ranging from hand warmers, to blankets, to socks and gloves.  With plans to distribute the backpacks on Dec. 1, Outlaw has minimal time to gather donations while still working around his class and baseball schedule.

"The hardest part has been getting in touch with people who want to help," said Outlaw.  "I've had to work around my class and baseball schedule so that's been the toughest part.  Some people have been sending cash donations and we will be using all of that to purchase as many items as we can. 

What I'm going to be giving out are backpacks with a blanket, socks and hand warmers inside.  Some people have extra stuff like hats and gloves they want to donate, if they are in good condition we will add those to the backpacks as well."

The group is accepting donations from anyone that has some unused items at home that are in good condition and wants to lend a helping hand.  While momentum for the mission has been garnered through social media, the women's lacrosse team has joined in the mission and head coach Ed Mathey is also accepting donations at the baseball offices on campus as well as the main athletic offices.

"I've also had a lot of other people on campus reach out wanting to help and donate supplies," said Outlaw.

"Coach Mathey said that the baseball office will be collecting donations, anyone both on campus or outside the community can drop by gently used garments to them.  Our goal this year with the short time span is 50 backpacks, just from where we were two weeks ago I am really proud of that."

Exactly where the backpacks will be distributed is yet to be determined, but Outlaw hopes that with his growing team of friends they will be able to divide up and cover as many parts of Chicago as possible.

"We're still undecided on how we're going to distribute the backpacks," said Outlaw.  "I've been to Chicago the past few weekends trying to decide where would be the best place to distribute them.  The best part is I have a bunch of people that want to help out, so we can hopefully spread out throughout the city.

I just want to try to make a difference somehow."

For those that may want to donate but can't make it to campus, Eric can be reached via his social media channels on twitter @outlawe99 and instagram @bacchicago2019 or via email at eaoutlaw@noctrl.edu.