One Warm Coat

We’re on “Cool People!”

shunt — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:10:41 +0000

This week, Cool People Care interviewed Sherri Wood, our National Founder and board Chair! Like the team at One Warm Coat, the “Cool People” team believes that caring is a lifestyle. They use their website and social connections to “help you save the world, every single day!” Why are they interested in us on this fine spring day? Because, as Sherri says it, “Spring cleaning is almost an ideal time for people to donate warm coats!” As you clean the family’s coats this spring or prepare for a summertime household move, why not recycle your extra, unused coats to the donation box? It saves both time and money – and makes a big difference for someone in need. We are very pleased to be in the spotlight with other Cool People who care! Read the whole interview for more ideas of warm-weather actions you can take to make this dream come true next winter. (And happy cleaning!)

I am extremely pleased to announce…

shunt — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:26:45 +0000

“I am extremely pleased to announce…” That’s what Sherri Wood, the new Chair of One Warm Coat‘s Board of Directors, said as she introduced Jennifer Stockard (current National Director) as our new President! Jennifer enters the role on April 1, 2012. It was ten years ago that Sherri first heard a local radio show about One Warm Coat and began to envision a way to spread the warmth of coat drives across the country. “Now…,” she says, “…we take our first steps into the next ten years. With many years of experience in the world of nonprofits, Jennifer has the talent, skills and experience to help us grow. Even better, she has a heart that is filled with warmth… I encourage all of you to welcome Jennifer in her new role.” (You can read Sherri’s whole transition message in our March newsletter.)

Sherri now enters the role of Chair of the Board of Directors, through which she will focus on One Warm Coat’s long range goals. She invites friends of One Warm Coat to “stay in touch as we learn what more we can do together to warm communities…one coat at a time.”

Congratulations on an Incredible Year!

shunt — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:42:28 +0000

The changing of the seasons is apparent everywhere, including here at One Warm Coat. As buds and blooms invite us to play, we’re wrapping up our Fall and Winter work. We’re so proud of our Organizer teams, who registered over 3,000 coat drives and collected more than 800,000 coats! Our Agency friends amazed us by jumping in to ensure that all coats were given away – almost immediately - to people who needed them the most. And our generous Sponsors found new and unique ways to inspire others to contribute. It’s been another incredible year! (And it inspires us to start planning for Fall!) Check back here and on our Facebook page to stay in touch. In the meantime, take a few moments to enjoy the beauty of this Spring day and congratulate yourselves on a job truly well done!

Witnessing a Miracle

shunt — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:59:17 +0000

When refugees and those seeking asylum arrive, they bring only a small plastic bag of personal items. Cold Fall and Winter weather only adds to the difficulty of entering a new land far from home. At this last stop on their journey, as Rebecca Cormier Ruiz of Catholic Charities Arlington (VA) reports, getting a coat as a gift from a stranger is completely “mind boggling” (in a good way). This year, the Organizers of three separate coat drives found the Agency in our system and provided hundreds of their clients with warm winter coats! As Rebecca reports, the warm coats met “a real and concrete need.” And it was the kindness and generosity of the people who gave them that started a “profound healing process” for these new residents. Rebecca says, “It was as if we were witnessing a miracle.” It’s a miracle we’re proud to see repeated throughout the seasons, thanks to the kindness of strangers who work together for all their neighbors in need!

A Project for All Seasons!

shunt — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:03:05 +0000

It’s racing season in the southern U.S. and our friends at Deneal Motorsports (GA) are getting revved up to help others all season long. This year, the kids who drive these 1/4 scale race cars add another kind of “drive” to their sport — a warm coat drive! Fans and friends are encouraged to bring extra warm coats to races. Smart thinking, kids! Now your parents have an extra easy way to pass on the coats you’ve outgrown!

A Special Woman in One Warm Coat’s History!

shunt — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:43:06 +0000

March is Women’s History Month, which pays tribute this year to generations of women whose commitment has proved invaluable to society. The 2012 theme is Women’s Education and Women’s Empowerment. It’s a perfect time to celebrate Lois Pavlow, One Warm Coat’s own champion of empowerment!

Back in 1992, Mrs. Pavlow and her many San Francisco-area friends organized the original One Warm Coat coat drive. Since then, she has been a wonderful mentor and close friend. Her idea of educating others about the need for warm coats and making it easy for them to help guides us today.

Mrs. Pavlow’s commitment to community is legendary in the San Francisco Bay area, where she has founded more than one nonprofit organization dedicated to solving issues related to poverty. As we celebrate Women’s History Month this year, we honor this truly special woman whose ideas have empowered so many over the years and ensured vital warmth and caring support for those in greatest need.

“Every year, the community opens it closets…”

shunt — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:54:19 +0000

“Every year, I think there won’t be any coats left to give, and every year, the community opens its closets and gives.” That’s what coat drive Organizer Nancy Duff said recently. Her workplace coat drive at the Mattapoisett Laundromat (MA) has inspired the community to give – and continue giving – for four years in a row! Nancy and her co-Organizer, Doreen Gomes, have learned that caring people will always “step up” for others. As we turn our thoughts to Spring (on the calendar, anyway), we want to appreciate Doreen and Nancy and the many Organizers who return to work with us year after year to bring warmth to people in need … one coat at a time. You are awesome!

Happy 100th Birthday, Girl Scouts!

shunt — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:00:40 +0000

A special message from Sherri: “To help other people at all times” is a part of my heart and soul. Congratulations to the millions of girls, women and men who have played a part in the Girl Scout movement. Our world is a better place because of this organization.”
For 100 years, the lives of people across the country have been touched by Daisies, Brownies and Girl Scouts who, with their adult leaders, bring their special brand of caring and their youthful sense of fun to service projects everywhere. Warmest birthday wishes from the whole One Warm Coat team!

Show Us Your “Fun” Side!

shunt — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 04:09:41 +0000

Before we “spring forward” to U.S. Daylight Savings time this weekend, we’re reflecting on the great work our friends have done this Fall and Winter (and continue to do). We know that a spirit of FUN adds to the success of any coat drive or coat giveaway event. Question: What did your team to do make your event a fun one this year? Two ways to answer: 1) Post a response to the Question on our Facebook page. 2) Email our Director of Community Outreach at sybil@onewarmcoat.org. We’ll gather your ideas and share them at a later date!

These Teens Saw the Need and Took Action!

shunt — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:02:29 +0000

Some say that the teenage years are a time of self-focus. Not true for a group of caring young people from Hope Disciples Foundation (CA)! When they began to notice kids at school who didn’t have warm coats, they held a coat drive. (Kids without warm coats find it hard to concentrate, and they rarely go outside for recess.) Within three weeks, these dedicated teens solved the problem for many, many area kids and teens. Great job, Hope Disciples! We’re so proud to know you!