Nov. 3—ANDERSON — Local residents lined up outside Anderson High School for the 24th annual Coats for Caring event.
Volunteers from Anderson Community Hospital and the Anderson Rotary Club’s Interact program helped distribute 1,100 coats, gloves and scarves to families on Saturday as winter weather approaches.
Keith Trent helped organize the first event and did not know at the time how long the program would last.
“We started in the hospital cafeteria and moved to different locations over the years,” Trent said. “I don’t know how many coats we’ve given out over the years, but it must be more than 20,000.”
Trent said Best Way Cleaners has been cleaning all the worn-out coats that people donate for free.
Tom Bannon, vice president of the Community Hospital Foundation, said Saturday was a day he could clearly see an impact in the community.
“What we’ve found is that when it’s cold, we get more people,” Bannon said. “What I always tell people is: if we give one person the warmth they need, we have achieved our goal.”
He said Interact students volunteered to fill the orders of people waiting for warm clothing.
Bannon said that a year ago at the event at the Wigwam, there was a young boy who was amazed at the size of the gymnasium, but after trying on a jacket simply said, “Now I’ll be warm for the winter .”
“This is a great program,” Bannon said.
Leanne Sylvia, a senior at Anderson High School, has volunteered for two years.
“I love helping people and volunteering and seeing people smile,” she said. “This is my favorite event because I see people smile when they get a jacket.”
Sylvia said she has often thought about how the program helps families in Anderson.
Tyler Scover, a freshman at Anderson High School, volunteered for the first time to help distribute coats.
“My sister is a senior and she convinced me to join Interact,” he said. “I think this will help a lot of people get through the winter when it’s cold.”
Tameria Johnson received coats for four children.
“This program is very important to make ends meet,” she said. “Sometimes you have to choose between food and clothes for the children.”
Johnson said it was her first time participating in Coats of Caring.
Angel Rodriquez said he was picking up coats for six people, including several children.
“This is very important,” he said. “We just got back from Florida and didn’t expect this help. This helps a little.”
Joshua Woods was picking up coats for his three children and his ex-wife.
“This is going to save me a lot of money and hassle,” he said, “because even with the job I work, I don’t make enough money to pay for everything.”
Woods said he was surprised the program has been running for 24 years.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
