EUGENE, Ore. -- O Heroes has announced its latest philanthropic initiative, Support Sport, with the purpose to promote global female participation in athletics. As part of the new project, O Heroes is asking the Eugene/Springfield community to donate sports bras which will be collected and sent specifically to West Ambrym in the Pacific Islands.

The sports bra drive is currently ongoing and ends on Monday, Nov. 26. Donations can come in the form of a sports bra – either new or lightly worn – or as a gift card (from a local department store) which will be used to purchase new sport bras.

The donation center is at the John E. Jaqua Center for Student Athletes, which is located on UO’s campus at the corner of Agate and 13th.

The Support Sport donation drive was created by Brooke Strawn, a freshman forward on the Oregon women’s soccer team. Strawn is working in conjunction with her sister, Kirsten Strawn, who is an Oregon alumni and current Peace Corp member. After hearing of her sister’s Peace Corp experiences in the Pacific Islands, Brooke Strawn approached O Heroes with this idea to help the women of West Ambrym.

“Collecting and donating sports bras will help female athletes in West Ambrym participate in athletics more comfortably and support a culture of female athletic involvement,” said Judy Sheldon, O Heroes Director. “Additionally, we are personally connected and excited to support a grassroots initiative started by two outstanding Ducks.”

For more information on the Support Sport initiative please contact O Heroes Director Judy Sheldon at 541-346-5740 or via email at jsheldon@uoregon.edu.