For three years, the University Store has provided students with the opportunity to donate their old sweatshirts in exchange for a discount on a new one.

This sweatshirt promotion is called “Out with the Old, In with the New” and was started in December 2011.

When the promotional idea came up, the University Store decided it went well with the ending of one semester and the start of a new one.

After tossing around ideas, the staff decided to try Murray State sweatshirts.

“When they told us how excited the students were with the first donation of Murray State sweatshirts, we knew we had to make it an annual event,” said Karol Hardison, director of the University Store.

This year’s event started Monday and ends Friday, Dec. 13. Students, staff and faculty have the opportunity to exchange their used Murray State sweatshirts for a 25 percent discount on a new one from the store.

The store created the coupon for the new sweatshirt to encourage others to donate, but the sweatshirts have to have “Murray State” on them.

“As much as we don’t like to think about it, there are many youth in our community who can’t afford and have never had a Murray State sweatshirt,” Hardison said.

The University Store wanted to add the spirit of Christmas by giving back to the community. They wanted those students to be able to wear and love Murray State apparel and one day aspire to attend the University.

The sweatshirts are all donated to the Murray and Calloway County High School’s Youth Services Center.

The University Store will transport any donations to the Murray and Calloway County High School’s Youth Services Center, but to receive the coupon the person has to donate a Murray State logo sweatshirt.

With the help of students, faculty and staff, the University Store hopes to give those students a Murray Christmas.

Story by Brandon Cash, Staff writer