‘Coats for Kids’ hits road with roundups across Horry County

Autumn started just last week, and the wheels already are rolling across Horry County for Coast RTA’s 10th annual “Coats for Kids” drive.

Donations are sought of new and gently used coats, sweaters, blankets, scarves, mittens, gloves, hats and other wares for warmth for use this winter by adults and children in need through designated collection points at local businesses, churches and other sites. All the items gathered, and purchased with cash donations, for this effort will be distributed to the public, noon-3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Coast RTA Terminal, 1418 Third Ave., Conway, right after the Conway Christmas Parade.

Michelle Cantey, who oversees marketing, media and community relations for the public transit agency, said this local idea for “Coats for Kids” apparently migrated south with a human resources director from Ohio in 2006 “as a community project, and it’s been flourishing ever since.”

“We are truly overwhelmed each and every year with community support,” she said, noting “yet the need continues to grow within our surrounding area of the children as well as their parents.”

Cantey, as well as two other Coast RTA officials – Ericka Hill in business development and the Coats for Kids coordinator, and Brian Piascik, general manager – teamed up on a conference call to share more details about this massive roundup of articles.

Question | How has this grown into an annual tradition, and with an entity the public might not connect at first glance, in the driver’s seat?

Answer | It has grown mainly by donations and participation from the community, and each year, there’s more participation from the community as we grow. ... There’s a natural fit that we try to serve the community in multiple facets, in transportation and serving needs to help people stay warm, by having such a community drive.

Q. | With all the wares collected, is there a certain size or item needed the most, based on what collaborative personnel have seen in past annual distributions?

A. | For middle and high school-age youth, the need might not be youth size XL items, but more like adult small or medium. And it’s not just coats, but gloves, hats, scarves, and things like that. ... Also, sweaters, hoodies and sweat shirts.

Q. | Besides donations of clothing and accessories, how do cash gifts help Coats for Kids?

A. | That funding helps up purchase items we in turn can give away to the community, for children and adults.

Q. | For businesses, schools, Girl and Boy Scouts, and other groups that want to play a role in rounding up articles and donations, how easily can they join this effort?

A. | Boxes are already in place at the Conway Chamber of Commerce (203 Main St.) and here at Coast RTA, 1418 Third Ave, Conway, and at city of Myrtle Beach downtown office and Conway National Bank locations. Anyone interested in placement of a collection box should get a hold of Ericka Hill: at 843-488-6063, or email ehill@coastrta.com.

Q. | How does this distribution give all of you, in your heart, a Christmas gift of making such a difference, long before the holiday season and new year – and possibly, ice storms – arrive?

A. | It’s definitely heartwarming. Some of these recipients are customers, too, so it’s good to give back to them. You watch their faces light up when we give them coats. And Conway Cleaners donates their services for us in kind for cleaning the used items.

Q. | What excitement builds, after all the boxes and racks of warm clothing are sorted out and ready for the annual handoff of hundreds of items, this year at noon Dec. 12?

A. | It’s at 12 on the 12th: That’s how easy it is to remember.

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "‘Coats for Kids’ hits road with roundups across Horry County."