Siblings Michael Sexton and Polly Jones with the Sharing Center are “teaming up” to collect coats so that needy families can stay snug and warm this season.
During its first annual coat drive, the Sharing Center in downtown West Jefferson will be accepting donations of new or gently used clean coats for those in need through December.
“Our goal this year is an ambitious one,” said Sexton, food purchaser for the center. “We hope to collect 500 coats. We especially need coats for young and school-age children.”
“The Sharing Center has been in operation for over 30 years,” said Sexton. To illustrate how important the center is to those who utilize its services, he gave some figures. “Last month we helped 464 families, representing a total of 1420 Ashe County people in need.”
According to Sexton, the center’s target number of donations will provide coats for about one third of the people served by the Sharing Center. As families come to the center, they will be “matched up” with coats by the staff.
“We used to rely on churches for donations, but the need has become so great that we are asking the community to become involved this year,” said Sexton.
The Sharing Center is open 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at 3 North 3rd Ave., West Jefferson.
Starting Nov. 3, the sharing center will be open on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m-noon and will be staffed by adult volunteers and members of Ashe County High School’s Interact club.
Post a Comment
