BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — With the winter months approaching, the need for coats becomes essential. Thanks to the delivery of approximately 150 jackets and coats from Lexington, the Mountain Citizen will host a coat giveaway Monday, Nov. 28, at its office at 20 W. Main Street in Inez.
Former Tomahawk resident Katherine Mueller-White of Lexington delivered the gently used coats to the newspaper office last week after collecting them from friends and neighbors.
“There are more women’s than men’s coats and more girl’s than boy’s coats,” Mueller said.
Sizes range from 24 months to 2X.
Nora Ray of the Mountain Citizen will head up the giveaway in Inez.
A retired family resource officer who worked 25 years in the Martin County School District, Ray has witnessed firsthand the adversity many families face, including the need for season-appropriate clothing to keep them warm.
“I saw children arrive at school in the mornings with no coats – children who were freezing,” said Ray. “I know the difference a warm coat can make when you’re out in the weather. It’s important to help families have one less thing to worry about by supplying them with coats for the winter season.”
Since she retired from the school district, Ray has enjoyed working part-time assisting Mountain Citizen publisher Roger Smith.
“All of us here at the newspaper feel honored to participate in this project,” said Ray. “We encourage anyone in need to come by and see if we have coats available to fit them or their family members.”
No proof of income is required.
“All you need to do is to come to our office. We will do our best to accommodate you,” stated Ray.
“We also hope to receive a delivery of boots and shoes within the next couple of weeks. Those will be distributed in the same way – by need and first come, first served.”
Ray will also reach out to school resource officers to get a list of children who would benefit from the giveaway.
If possible, Ray asks you to call her and provide a list of sizes so she can pull the coats that will fit. The numbers to call are 606-298-7570 (Mountain Citizen) or 606-371-2953 (Nora Ray).
The giveaway starts at 8 a.m. Monday.