LINK November Winter Coat and Clothing Drive in Sterling

“He answers and said to them, he that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none...." Luke 3:11

The date for the LINK Winter Coat Distribution is Saturday, November 18, 2017.

LINK is now collecting new and gently used winter coats. Men’s, women’s and children’s sizes are needed. All collected coats and winter apparel can be delivered to Sterling United Methodist Church (304 East Church Road) from Mon. 11/13 - Fri. 11/17, 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Winter items will be distributed to needy local families in (Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn) by LINK volunteers at the annual coat distribution on Saturday, November 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Locations are at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 651 Dranesville Road in Herndon and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church at 46833 Harry Byrd Highway in Sterling.

Most of us have been in a situation at some point when we were very cold and didn’t wear the right clothing to stay warm. It’s an uncomfortable and disorienting feeling that prohibits you from thinking about much else, other than your constant awareness of the cold. Unfortunately, there are people living in our community experiencing this constant undesirable condition. Sometimes a warm coat is all it takes to ease a burden and warm a heart – especially during the winter months.

“With this beautiful fall weather, it’s difficult to be thinking coats and hats and mittens, oh my…but the bitter cold winds will soon be here, freezing us all too soon,” says Amy Thomas. “We need everyone’s assistance collecting coats and winter wear to keep everyone warm this winter!”

As coat drive coordinator for LINK, a legacy Christian nonprofit (founded in 1972) that provides emergency food and financial assistance to people in need, Thomas is leading the organization’s annual Thanksgiving Coat Drive which began in the 1990’s.

LINK was able to serve over 550 grateful families on November 19, 2016. Volunteers were able to distribute 2,100 gently used and new coats, 1,650 hats, gloves, scarves and 1,600 winter clothing items (sweaters, sweatshirts, etc.).

Every year, LINK’s Holiday Program aims to provide all of its needy families with a week’s worth of non-perishable food and a winter coat in November and a week’s worth of non-perishable food and a two toys for each child in December. Anyone within the LINK service areas of Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn are eligible to call and request an appointment.

LINK makes an all-out effort to provide a coat to everyone who needs one. LINK also takes walk-ins after 1 p.m. on the day of the drive.

“It’s always worked out where we have enough,” Thomas says.

Thomas recalls one year (2010) when LINK was just about out of kid’s coats. A lady from the Rainbow Station at Haymarket Daycare Center school offering extended day nursery school, preschool and kindergarten, arrived at the last moment with six large bags stuffed with more coats and hats.

Often several organizations or schools bring in a few bags and like a huge wave heading into shore, the coats just come piling in. Remember, even one or two coats will make a difference!

LINK is seeking civic groups, churches, businesses and schools to help provide winter clothing for our needy families this year. Won’t you consider coordinating a Coat Drive or volunteering to help? If you are interested in holding a Coat Drive for 2017 through your employer or organization, please contact Scott and Amy Thomas at athomas2003@hotmail.com.

Please let Amy Thomas know if you have any questions about this event. If there is any organization that is able to collect—but getting the coats to SUMC is an issue, Amy would be pleased to make arrangements to have them picked up.

On behalf of LINK, I wish each of you a glorious Thanksgiving with your friends and families!

"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

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