‘Tis the season when grabbing a jacket on the way out of the house in the morning is a necessity. While we know that our west Texas weather patterns may mean another rise in temperatures before winter truly sets in, there is still an inevitability of winter weather sooner or later.

For the working poor demographic in our community who do not have an expendable income, finding a good winter jacket either makes a major dent in their paycheck or simply doesn’t happen at all.

Just before the first cold front of the season, our first donation of coats from the Oakmont Estates coat drive came in. When the five neighbors came to deliver the coats, they told us that they had started to collect winter items in late September, knowing that the cold weather would come soon and knew that people would need they. Their delivery was so timely, knowing that they wanted to make sure that people had coats before the first cold snap!

One participant was so excited to see the coats lined up in Lubbock Impact’s coffee hall and told us “I don’t need another coat because I got one last year!” He proudly showed us his winter coat, which was still in great condition. Another family also had their jackets from last year’s donations. The young girls have used their jackets year-round, both on chilly days and for cold classrooms. They have all taken such good care of their coats and their genuine gratitude can be seen all over their faces.

Then there were the participants who appreciated that someone had graciously donated the warm coat they needed. Some tried on several until they got to the one that was the perfect fit. Parents carefully searched for the right coat for their little ones who grew out of their coat last year. A simple gesture of a coat, gloves or a hat helps an individual feel safe from the cold, west Texas wind.

This year as we prepare for the winter months and making sure that participants have what they need at the right time, the several coat drives happening will help us meet those needs. Between the coat drives at Oakmont Estates, Michael Postar’s Affordable Storage, and Grayco plus all the individuals who have generously donated their new or gently used coats, we feel equipped to provide for those that need it this winter.