By Leslie Merchant
Finally! The trees are turning red and orange, and there is a brisk nip in the air. For many readers, these changes conjure up thoughts of steaming hot cocoa, crackling fireplaces and toasty winter clothing. These seasonal changes also bring about lots of good will around Thurston County, particularly for those in need. Garden Courte Memory Care community in Lacey is warming up for their sixth annual coat drive benefiting Olympia’s Community Youth Services (CYS).
For those in need, signs of winter conjure up different images such as being cold and having to don patched up outerwear. Dawn Peterson, Community Marketing Director at Garden Courte, is hoping others will be inspired to bring warmth and good will to foster children and teens in Thurston County. “We collected about five hundred coats last year, and we are hoping to collect at least four hundred this year. The kids and families feel so blessed that we do this for them, they are just in tears.”
Kathy Keilman, Case Manager with CYS, explains how great the need is for some of our South Sound families. “The coats make such a difference in the lives of many youth and children. They are able to stay warm and dry and feel good knowing that there are great people in this community who care about them.” For a child in need, wearing battered clothing has negative implications that most people don’t realize. Feelings of being on the outside, looking unkempt and not appearing right for the job can be brutal. Imagine having to go to school or sitting through a job interview knowing that you are being judged before you have gotten a chance to say anything.
Barbara Wakefield, Development Coordinator with CYS, describes a scenario that resonates with those looking forward to the holidays. She describes that due to financial circumstances, there was no money for presents for a single mom or her daughter. When a case manager presented the mom with coats, the mom teared up and gratefully said, “We weren’t going to have anything for Christmas. Now we have coats!”
Garden Courte has organized the coat drive for going on six years, and they see it as being an annual tradition for years to come due to the need in Thurston County. Peterson explains how Garden Courte feels strongly about giving back to the community they serve, and how they are able to reach out to families considering assisted living for their loved ones. “We are advocates of helping people through the process of assisted living placement. The coat drive enables us to get our name out in the community so we are noticed.” She describes how potential families feel more comfortable if they recognize the name as being one that is active and concerned with the community. The fact that they are spreading some early holiday cheer is also a huge draw for Peterson and her staff.
The drive began on Monday, September 2 and will continue through Sunday, November 15. To donate a new or gently used coat, visit Garden Courte between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week at 626 Lilly Road NE.
For more information, contact Dawn Peterson at 360-491-4435.
