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SOUTH DAYTON -- Pine Valley Central School's Junior and Senior Honor Society is helping to collect new and gently used coats, hats, shoes, bathing suits, and money for families in the area.
This is an ongoing collection effort after the Honor Society was approached for help from a community member. Sherri Goodwill, Senior Honor Society advisor, and Susan Zirkle, Junior Honor Society advisor, agreed to help.
"One of the people running this, Darlene Morrison, reached out to ask if we -- the Honor Society -- could assist her," Goodwill said. "Darlene Morrison and Barb and Alicia Abbey have been purchasing these items and handing them out to the community for years and it has gotten too expensive to continue purchasing these items on their own without some assistance. The Honor Society was approached, and we happily said we would help collect items and money to continue to support our community."
Morrison, who collects the coats with the Salvation Army service unit, said she has been collecting coats and other items for over 25 years but the need for more help has gotten more desperate recently.
"I have a few people that help me but I need more because I handed out over 175 coats last year," Morrison said. "It's hard to find coats because the cost of everything has gone up."
Morrison said she first approached Pine Valley's high school principal, Kourtney Almeida, to try and get help, who agreed to have the school help. Morrison then approached the Honor Society advisors, presidents and vice presidents, who all agreed to help as well.
"They agreed to help wholeheartedly and I appreciate it because it gets overwhelming," Morrison said. "I also have kettle drives during Christmas and it gets hard to get people to ring bells. I appreciate everyone who comes to donate or ring or help in any way."
Morrison said she appreciates all the help from the school, and that people should not hesitate to donate any new or used coat, shoes, hats, or other item.
This is the first time the Honor Society has helped with this collection, according to Goodwill and Zirkle, who said notifying the school about the collection happened electronically.
"We sent an email to all staff at the school and asked for the items and put the request on our Pine Valley social media pages," Zirkle said. "We asked people if they were cleaning their closets and came across items no longer in use, too small, or any reason they do not need it to consider donating to this cause to help our students."
Red Kettles have also been set up at the elementary school and at high school basketball games for anyone who wishes to make a monetary donation. 100% of all money donated is used to purchase new items and Zirkle said this is a great time of year to purchase new winter coats, hats and gloves as they are on clearance at many stores.
Donations can be made at the school or by contacting Morrison.
"You can drop off items at the elementary or high school during school hours," Goodwill said. "We can also put you in touch with Darlene and drop off at the South Dayton Free Methodist Church. They can also make a monetary donation at either of the schools or with the church."
There is no end date for when donations will stop being accepted as the collection is on-going because these items are needed each year. Once collected, Morrison takes them to those in need in the community.
"We give the items to Darlene, and she hands them out to families in the community when she finds out there is a need," Zirkle said. "This past year she handed out 175 to families in the community. She is very active in the community, subbing at the school, volunteering as an EMT with the fire hall and helping with the food pantry available at the church. These activities also allow her to find out the specific needs of our families."
For the Honor Society, helping with this drive allows for another way to give back to the surrounding community.
"This drive is very meaningful to us as it is another way to support the members of our communities," Goodwill said. "We can give back to our own and give a little support to those who are experiencing a hard time. It also teaches our students about compassion and helping others. One part of being in Honor Society is community service and leadership. We are trying to instill in these students a desire to help others."
Donations toward this drive are always needed.
"As we stated this is an on-going drive," Zirkle said. "Donations of both new/almost new coats, hats, shoes, bathing suits and other clothing items are always needed and appreciated. Monetary donations allow us to purchase new coats and accessories as needed and to prepare for the next winter season."
Questions about donations can be directed to 716-988-3291.