October 19, 2005
Rotary gathers garments
One-Way Coat Day collects winter wear for area service organizations
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Until they come in a flood, who knew there were so many types of coats?
Tuesday at noon, members of the Rotary Club of Traverse City gathered, sorted and counted jackets, parkas, windbreakers, sports coats, rain coats, formal wear and ski jackets. The donations stuffed the cloakroom of the Park Place Dome with a colorful array of sizes, materials and styles. Plus some exotic items such as a suede long coat or a women's faux leopard coat.
The One-Way Coat Day drew an estimated 1,050 items from members of the club and the general public during the first week of a three-week drive. Held during the Rotary Club's weekly noon meeting Tuesday at the Park Place Dome, participants brought in coats by the armful and bagful. The drive, which began three years ago, gathers attire for men, women and children.
"I brought some leftovers, unclaimed from the scout camp," said Tom Stoeber, executive director of the Scenic Trails Boy Scout Council.
Before the lunch was digested, volunteers had distributed the coats - plus a smattering of hats, scarves, mittens and boots - to four area organizations: the Father Fred Foundation, the Salvation Army, the Women's Resource Center and Goodwill. These organizations will in turn provide the winter wear free of charge to needy individuals and families.
"It's a wonderful program," said Mike Shockley, administrative director of the Father Fred Foundation. "We receive a large quantity of coats from the Rotary Club and they're all cleaned and pressed and in excellent condition."
Shockley noted that offering the coats to their clients dovetails with Father Fred's vision.
"One of the things that Father Fred wanted to do was make sure the people looked good, felt good and were good, so that fits nicely with our programs here," he added. "If someone needs a coat, they can just go pick one out."
Carmen Stevens said the Women's Resource Center was thrilled to be included in the One-Way Coat Day for the past three years. Serving families grappling with domestic violence issues, clients often arrive at their shelter with only the clothes on their backs. Coats and other winter wear that are not used by shelter inhabitants are distributed to the community through the Women's Resource Center Thrift Shop.
"When we were contacted, we were very appreciative to be selected as one of the area non-profits for this program," said Stevens, director of development for the center. "It's been wonderful for us."
"Nationally, with everything that's been going on people are looking for what they can do to help in their own community and this is a very simple way to help out," she added.
The One-Way Coat Day began small, with members leaving their coats after a meeting for donation to charity. The idea gained steam and last year the event gathered 1,000 coats and winter accessories. This year, organizers hope to boost the totals by ten percent and believe the next two club meetings will put them over the goal of 1,100 items.
"We hope to help some people in need of winter wear stay warm this winter." said Zeke Fleet, chair of the event.
Members of the Rotary Club of Traverse City will accept gently used coats and other winter accessories prior to their next two Tuesday lunch meetings, October 25 and November 1. Bring the coats just before noon to the Park Place Dome to make a donation.