I spoke with the Public Relations Director at WPGC and found out about their Annual Coat Drive on December 5th that would benefit the Salvation Army. This had a special place in my heart because my daughter and I have been collecting coats and clothes for the homeless and needy families over the past 4 years and donating them to local shelters and organization. I eagerly started sending our emails and posting on my Facebook to get donations for coats. I had friends dropping off coats at my home and meeting me in parking lots to drop off donations. When I went to bed on Friday, December 4th I heard that there was a slight chance of rain and maybe snow. When I woke up on Saturday morning the forecast changed to definite snow. All I could think of was where is my ski pants, jacket and socks? I layered up, packed up the car with the 90 coats and scarves I collected and then headed out with snow coming down the size of popcorn and it just keep snowing and snowing. When I arrived at the drop off location, I saw the promotions team already outside bundled up and all I kept saying to myself was, this is going to go by really quickly. I bundled up, got out the car, said hello to them and started to help collect coats. As people kept coming over, we would walk to the cars, get the bags, put them in cart and roll them under an area that was covered from the snow. My girlfriend Yvette and her daughter Deja collected 15 coats and dropped them off for us. After about 2 hours we took a break and had pizza and then I really saw how funny the promotions team and the DJ’s were. I was freezing, laughing and crying at the same time. We went back to collecting coats and for the people who were just stopping by to see why the WPGC truck was in the parking lot, I suggested that they could donate a coat by going to the department store in the shopping center to purchase a coat, blanket or scarf and if it was easier they could make a donation in the Salvation Army Kettle. We finished up about 5 pm and by then my hands, feet and face was freezing. By the time I got to the car, I could not feel anything on my body and all I could think was how I am going to hold the steering wheel to drive home. Then I came back to reality and thought how blessed I was to be able to be in a car and to go to a home with warmth when there were people who have to deal with the elements like season in and season out who have no choice but to adjust. I am still collecting coats from friends and family and will donate them through out the winter season to the Salvation Army.
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