Long before the holidays, and winter’s serious chill, the warmth of others’ caring is already here.
Capt. Amy Tompkins of the Columbus Salvation Army said she can see it with her own eyes. It’s right there in the collection of donated coats, knit hats, mittens, gloves, hoodies and scarves for all ages and sizes that her church and outreach have collected along with volunteers at Community Church of Columbus, she said.
The church’s deadline for donations is Sunday at its location at 3850 N. Marr Road. The Salvation Army church and social service outreach accepts donated coats all year long at its office at 2525 Illinois Ave.
The Columbus Lions Club will kick off its collection drive Nov. 2. The drive will run through Nov. 25 with drop-off sites at DJ’s Cleaners at 4270 W. Jonathan Moore Pike and Hour Glass Laundry at 2317 Cottage Ave. so the coats can be cleaned (at the cost of those businesses donating their services).
The Lions Club alone collected and distributed more than 400 last year via Horizon House homeless shelter and Salvation Army.
Tompkins figures this season’s need could be greater because of job loss and other struggles related to the COVID-19 pandemic. She mentioned that some people still regularly arrive at the ministry food pantry in very cold weather with no coat.
Additionally, she thinks the need has grown each year since her arrival to the church in the summer of 2017.
Tompkins said that many families still don’t know that such practical help is even available locally.
“That first year, it seemed like what we were doing wasn’t that well known by people (in need),” she said. “But, slowly since then, it seems that more and more information is getting out there to the public.”
The Lions Club’s drive, which began last year, is being coordinated by six members, according to treasurer Jerry Simo. The club started getting involved because a member noticed people in need of coats.
“I think people simply need to look around and see whatever it is they can do to help,” Simo said.
Community Church of Columbus collected about 225 coats or hoodies last year, according to Pam Brannan and Emily Lambrecht, who coordinate the effort with the help of the TGIF small group. Members collected about 300 in 2018.
“CCC has a strong focus on helping our community, so it is our pleasure,” Brannan said.
Tompkins mentioned that Community Church of Columbus and Salvation Army combined donate coats or hoodies to some 600 people annually. She added that children’s sizes 8 to 10 seem to be the most in demand of all.
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Good, usable coats, hoodies, mittens, gloves and scarves can be donated to:
- Community Church of Columbus: at 3850 N. Marr Road Sunday until noon.
- Columbus Salvation Army: at 2525 Illinois Ave. any time the office is open. Information: 812-372-7118.
- DJ’s Cleaners at 4270 W. Jonathan Moore Pike and Hour Glass Laundry at 2317 Cottage Ave. in Columbus from Nov. 2 to Nov. 25 as part of the Columbus Lions Club Drive.
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