Winter Coat Drive for Local Kids Held by the IAM Local 1943 Women’s Committee
This month, the IAM Local 1943 Women’s Committee held a coat drive to benefit kids in the Middletown area. They collected new and gently used coats at the Local’s Union Hall for several weeks and held a gate collection throughout the Cleveland Cliffs facility for members who opted to donate cash in lieu of coats. The gate collection was held on a freezing cold Friday in December, where one committee member noted from the outdoor gates “This brings it all into perspective. I’m trying to stay warm with my layered clothes, heavy coat, gloves, and blanket while collecting money for kids who don’t even have a coat.”
The gate collection was wildly successful, generating over $1,300 in donations. The funds were used to purchase brand new coats from several different retailers. In all, the Women’s Committee collected one hundred and one coats in a variety of sizes for preschoolers up to high school kids. The coats were delivered to the very grateful staff at Robert Sonny Hill Jr. Community Center on December 20th as heavy snow fell on Middletown. Within an hour, families and children in need started showing up to be fitted for their new winter coats.
“We know firsthand that raising a family is the toughest job out there. It’s especially harsh when money is tight, forcing us to make impossible choices between the necessities. In holding this coat drive we hope to bring a little warmth and comfort to the children and parents in our community who need it the most. We are very thankful for the generosity of the IAM Local 1943 members who participated, and for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our youngest neighbors.” – IAM Local 1943 Women’s Committee
