Nearly 450 students received new, free winter coats at Herbert Mills STEAM Elementary recently.
Bonzy, a local nonprofit, had selected the school as a potential location for this year’s Coat Day Columbus. It was selected because of its high percentage of students receiving free/reduced meals, indicating financial need.
On Coat Day Columbus, Nov. 7, hundreds of coats were brought into the cafeteria and organized by size, from child into adult, by dozens of local volunteers.
Once a class arrived, students were each helped one-on-one by a volunteer to find the best fit (with room to grow) and to select a coat. Once the student had the coat they wanted, they were then brought to a table where another volunteer would write the student’s name on the coat’s inside tag.
Each student left with a well-fitting coat of their very own, labeled so they knew it was theirs.
Students were visibly excited about the event and happy with their new coats, showing their appreciation by writing thank you cards, making posters, and more. Assistant Principal Chris Cracraft even had the opportunity to speak with NBC 4.