Offering others the Gift of Warmth

By Rayma Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

Help is on the way for families in Bourbon County who are having a difficult time preparing for cold weather.

Wal-Mart Supercenter and The Bourbon County Chapter of the Red Cross, in conjunction with the Beacon and Mother to Mother Ministries will be conducting an assistance program for the first time this year beginning Dec. 5 and running through Dec. 31. The Gift of Warmth will help provide cold-weather attire for area residents who can't afford to purchase these needed items on their own.

The Gift of Warmth campaign is asking for citizens to donate new or gently-used coats, gloves, winter hats and blankets to help provide warmth to those less fortunate then them. Wal-Mart Supercenter, 2500 S. Main, will be the designated collection site for the donations. Bourbon County Chapter of the Red Cross Executive Director Whendi Martin said Wal-Mart approached her asking if there was a need for the drive in the local area. Martin said in fact there are many people in the local area who need coats, hats, gloves and blankets to get them through the cold weather season.

"There is a definite need here," Martin said. "We have turned people away at the Red Cross who needed blankets. We are already out of blankets this year. There is a significant need for coats and blankets and things to keep people warm for the winter."

According to Wal-Mart Supercenter Manager Terry Files, the store will have collection boxes set up at both store entrances for contributors to drop donations into. Files and Wal-Mart Market and Asset Protections manager Kelly Goracki said the local store decided to help with the hat and glove drive this year because of a desire to help families who may be struggling from financial crisis.

"We decided to help because of the economic decline," Goracki said. "Wal-Mart needs to step up as a community leader and take that role (a leader in the community)."

"There are more people in need then in the past," Files added.

According to Martin, all items collected during the drive will be used in the local area to help those who are less fortunate. Martin added this would be a good opportunity for local residents to clean out their closets and get rid of extra winter attire they no longer use.

According to Files and Goracki, the Wal-Marts in Iola, Pittsburg and Chanute will also be participating in The Gift of Warmth drive. The items collected in each of these stores will be used to benefit the residents in the specific towns the stores are located. Goracki added participating stores were chosen to conduct the drives based on the specific needs of the area the stores are located in.

"We picked an area we think we can make an impact," Goracki said. "Hopefully this (drive) will help."