CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Most of us have a couple of coats to choose from when we get ready to bundle up and head outside this winter. However, some residents of the Kanawha Valley don’t have a warm jacket or coat to protect them from the cold.
That’s why the Mountain Mission in Charleston held a coat drive and on Thursday they handed out hundreds of gently used coats and jackets to those in need.
Janice Amspoker, the resource development manager at Mountain Mission, said they give away coats every year but there seems to be a bigger need in 2013.
“Last year we gave out, in one day, over 350 coats and so far [today] we’ve been bombarded,” explained Amspoker.
Those in need were able to walk in the Mountain Mission headquarters on 7th Ave. and pick out something they wanted to wear. The coats came in all colors and sizes for infants to seniors and everyone in between. She said they’re all donations from local residents. She urged others to get involved.
“See what you’re not wearing everyday,” stressed Amspoker. “Donate a coat that someone else might get some use out of instead of it hanging in the closet.”
Amspoker shared the story of a single mother with five children who brought them all in Thursday and each was able to choose a warm coat to last them through the winter. Amspoker said the mom had no way to pay for that many jackets. That wasn’t even the largest family who stopped by.
“We’ve had families come in with as many as seven kids!”
Several businesses throughout the community donated to the Mission to help make the coat drive a success. Amspoker said they’ll have another drive and coat pick-up later this winter once they restock.
You can donate a coat by dropping off one or two or ten at the Mountain Mission office at 1620, 7th Ave. in Charleston.