Warming hearts and bodies
For 25 years, Coats for Christmas of Hancock County has warmed hearts and bodies by distributing winter coats to people in need. Paul Kramer, local entrepreneur and owner of City Dry Cleaning, started the service project in 1987 and it has grown to involve thousands of donations and hundreds of volunteers. The collection of new and gently-used coats took place in November, but many volunteer opportunities still exist for people 14 years of age and older.
Volunteers can hang and load coats at the City Dry Cleaning industrial facility, 1800 Westfield Drive, from 4-5:30 pm., Monday, December 3 through Thursday, December 6. Also, volunteers can help organize, sort and hang coats at Glenwood Middle School gymnasium on Friday, December 7 from 5-7 pm. Shopper helpers can assist people in selecting coats at the gym, Saturday, December 8 from 8:30-11am; 11am-1pm; or 1-3 pm; or Sunday, December 9 from 1-3pm. Volunteers are needed to tear down on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 3-4pm.
“Volunteering is a wake-up call for many teens, providing them with a glimpse into the lives of many less fortunate individuals right here in their own community,” said Sheri Murphy, Hancock Youth Leadership Program Director. For more information, visit www.coatsforchristmas.org.
To volunteer, call “211” or email ChristiWest@woh.rr.com. —LWP
