Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Winn Dixie parking lot on South Jefferson Street proved to be a hot spot for free warm coats on Saturday, Dec. 18. United Force of Jefferson County began collecting donated coats in early October, and by the giveaway date last weekend they had more than 230 coats on hand to pass along to residents in need.
“People were still donating coats up to 30 minutes before the giveaway,” said United Force President Greg Cummings during the event on Saturday, “and they have been going like hotcakes.”
Indeed, well before noon there were only a few coats left on the clotheslines strung between posts along the shopping center sidewalk.
United Force Vice President Jamia Bradley has explained that “United Force of Jefferson County was founded by a small group of concerned citizens who love their wonderful county in which they grew up. Over the years, they saw a need to come together to strengthen their community by getting involved and showing their concerns by helping and providing great resources to the community of Jefferson County during this pandemic.”
The coat drive was the group's second community event. At their first community event, Refill Your Backpack with School Supplies, held at the recreation park in August of 2021, they were able to serve more than 300 families.
United Force of Jefferson County will now turn their attention to planning a mother-son, father-daughter dance at The Barn in the Piney Woods community for the Saturday before Spring Break. A limited number of tickets will be available as the event date approaches.
For more information about becoming involved with United Force of Jefferson County, send an email to unitedforceofjeffersoncounty@gmail.com or call Cummings at (850) 510-7418 or Bradley at (850) 242-1560.
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