Great Barrington — For 29 years, volunteers at the Southern Berkshire Winter Coat Drive have worked hard in gathering winter coats for those in need.
According to coordinator Kate Tucci, no matter how many years go by, the need remains great. “Last year, we collected over 900 coats, and 90 percent of them were gone in the first two hours of us opening our distribution event,” Tucci told The Berkshire Edge. “The need has never gone away. Times are tough. We never ask questions when people are in line to get coats because we all know that the need varies greatly from person to person.”
Tucci said that the drive is looking for coats of all kinds, including coats for children and adults. “We will also accept nice business coats in order for people to feel confident going to work and looking more professional,” Tucci said. “We just want to make sure that our neighbors are kept warm and that they feel confident going into the winter months.”
Tucci said that the coats should not have any rips or tears in them and that they should be clean. “We will accept other winter gear as well,” she said. “The goal is for us to collect 1,000 coats, but any winter gear like snow pants, snow boots, gloves, hats, everything was welcomed and needed last year at the coat drive. And so I don’t see that need going away.”
Donations may be made at the following locations until Friday, November 10:
- Berkshire South Regional Community Center, 15 Crissey Rd., Great Barrington
- Muddy Brook Elementary School, 318 Monument Valley Rd., Great Barrington
- Undermountain Elementary School, 245 N Undermountain Rd., Sheffield
- Mt. Everett High School, 491 Berkshire School Rd., Sheffield
- Great Barrington Aubuchon, 700 S Main St., Great Barrington
- Richmond Consolidated School, 1831 State Rd., Richmond
- Berkshire Food Co-Op, 34 Bridge St., Great Barrington
- Great Barrington CHP/WIC, 442 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington
A distribution event will be held on Saturday, November 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sunday, November 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Berkshire South.
“We’re doing this because it’s important for us to take care of our neighbors,” Tucci said. “It’s an easy thing to go into a closet, assess the clothes that you have, and pick out the ones collecting dust because you are not using it. These are things that can be very much appreciated by your neighbors.”
For more information about the Southern Berkshire Winter Coat Drive, go to its Facebook page.
