Donation drive continues as Unique Pieces 670 returns for second day

Members of Unique Pieces 670’s autism support group are staging another day of donations today, April 24, after a steady first day of collections for families affected by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

The group is accepting a wide range of items—from clothes, toys, books, snacks, water, diapers and shoes to cash donations—as they try to help families with children with special needs recover from losses caused by the storm.

Outreach officer April Lisua said the effort was prompted by urgent requests from within their own community.

“So it’s for our families in need. So a lot of our special needs families lost a lot during the typhoon,” Lisua said. “They were requesting—we have a group chat—and they’re requesting also on social media. So we gathered together and thought about doing a donation drive.”

President Amanda Diaz said some families lost nearly everything, making even basic items critical.

“Our families pretty much lost everything for some of them,” Diaz said. “Some of the things that they have shared is that our kids need toys to keep them entertained. They lost everything—their homes, their blankets, their clothes. So we’re pretty much open to everything… except non-perishable items.”

The group has also set up an online wish list based on direct input from affected families.

“We surveyed our families and said, what are the top three things that you need to help you with your children? And they provided those lists and we did prepare that wish list out there,” Diaz said. “So look out for that Amazon Wish Lists for Unique Pieces 670.”

Treasurer Karmina Jack said donations can include both new and gently used items.

“Yes, we accept everything and anything—usable, fair condition,” Jack said. “Toys, clothes, shoes… we would love books. That would be nice… to entertain our children.”

Jack added that the group is also trying to ease the burden on families who may struggle to access public aid distribution sites.

“A lot of our families, they can’t go in long lines,” she said. “So we’re going to package this and help them to have access to resources without having to be in four-hour lines.”

Just like the first day, the second day of the donation drive runs from 10am to 3pm at the Marianas Business Plaza, with organizers aiming to sort and distribute donations within days.

“We’re just parents. We’re just mothers,” Diaz said. “And we feel for other parents and mothers that are going through this ordeal. And we want to help them as well.”

She also thanked the community for early support.

“I want to say thank you for everybody that has come out today, who’s shown interest, who’s been a part of this,” Diaz said. “If you have time and you have something that you’d like to share with our families… we appreciate everything that we receive. And again, this 100% goes all back to our families.”