By Tiffany Allison
As many look to the holidays as a time to give, a local store
and a few non-profit groups decided to tackle a problem most
High Country residents know all to well — cold.
Volunteers load coats
to be distributed to needy people in the area.
Photo by Tiffany
Allison |
The Mast General Store decided four years ago to gather people’s
gently worn coats and donate them to those who need an extra
bit of warmth this winter.
This season, the store partnered with the Salvation Army and
Mountain Projects for the fourth annual Share the Warmth coat
drive.
Together, the community collected 2,999 coats, which were
dropped off at the Mast General Store branches, churches,
schools, Girl Scout troops, exercise centers and hairdressers.
The coats are dispersed through the Salvation Army in the
county where they were collected. Out of those collected,
the High Country received 734 coats, 310 of which Columbia
Sportswear donated. The coat drive ran from October through
November.
“We choose our partner organizations for their work
in the community and their ability to assess the real needs
of families and individuals,” Sheri Moretz, general manager
of Mast General, said. “These coats will be gifted to
those in need, not sold in thrift stores.”
Share the Warmth originated with Fred Martin, vice president
of Mast General, who heard there was a need within the community
for winter coats.
Moretz said he heard about the need through a work meeting,
felt stirred to react, and, an hour later, Share the Warmth
was born.
“The High Country managers coordinated Share the Warmth
for all of our stores,” Moretz said. “And the coats
are collected at each store.”
The Dragon Fly Theatre also joined the community in their
endeavor by hosting a benefit show where customers could pay
$5 entry fee or bring a coat.
“The Wellness Center was also instrumental in this process,”
Mary Wood said.
Major Kent Davis and the Rev. John DeMauro of the Salvation
Army, with the help of Mast General warehouse employees, packed
up their truck transported the coats to the Salvation Army
thrift store in Boone. The coats will be available to those
who need some warmth this season free of charge.
The Mast General Store in Blowing Rock partnered with Blowing
Rock Elementary to collect more than 100 coats this season.
The drive raised 499 coats over their goal of 2,500.
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