What began as concerns expressed on Facebook has become a grassroots effort to make sure that all children in Pike County have coats to keep them warm during the winter months.

Jenny Meadows said that it did not go unnoticed that some children are walking to school during cold weather not wearing coats.

“A lot of us on Facebook were talking about the situation and started brainstorming as to what we could do,” Meadows said. “Back when the Troy Public Library hosted ‘Stories with Santa,’ I heard a little boy say that his sister didn’t get to come because she didn’t have a coat to wear. So, he had to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.”

Meadows said that brought greater awareness to her that some children don’t have coats. That awareness was heightened during the extremely cold weather in recent days.

“As several of us were talking on Facebook, members of the Troy Charity League and other volunteers decided that we should do something,” Meadows said. “So, we have organized a coat and blanket drive. The coat drive is primarily for children. We are calling it ‘Coats for Kids.’”

Meadows said the nurses at Troy Elementary School have given out all of the coats that they had available. She is not aware of the situation at other schools.

“But we believe that there are children throughout Pike County who need coats to wear,” she said. “Some of the schools might not have a storage place for the coats we collect, so William White, director of the Troy Public Library, has graciously agreed for the library to be a drop-off point and the Troy Charity League will pick up and distribute the coats as needed.”

Meadows said parents and/or school nurses may request coats by calling 334-268-0466.

Although, the coat drive is primarily for kids, there is a need for coats of all sizes and for blankets.

“I have talked with Kim May, director of the Salvation Army Service Center in Troy, and she said that the Center is out of blankets and also needs coats of all sizes,” Meadows said. “Coats for adults and blankets that are dropped of at the Troy Public Library will be delivered to the Salvation Army for people in need right here in Pike County.

“We encourage everyone to donate any coats or blankets that they are not using to this project. There is a real need.”