Perry County Freshman Organizes Sixth Annual Coat Drive for Kids

The sixth annual Share the Warmth coat drive is underway in Perry County, collecting new and gently used winter coats for local children. The campaign began on December 3 and will continue through December 20, with drop off locations at Game On Kentucky, Kentucky River Finance, June and Joys Boutique, and Kentucky Farm Bureau Janet Smith Agency.

Organizer Shade Combs, a freshman at Perry County Central High School, started the drive six years ago and coordinates collection and distribution across the county. “Just to help my community and just give back,” Combs said. He described the distribution network, noting the focus on places where families already seek support. “We take them to a lot of the resource centers around the county and we also took a bunch to the crisis center last year, so that is how we distribute them.”

The drive delivers coats directly to schools and service organizations, which reduces friction for families who may face transportation or financial constraints during winter. For Perry County households balancing heating and food bills, donated winter outerwear can represent a meaningful reduction in immediate out of pocket expenses and a lower risk of cold related illness for children. Local distribution through schools and resource centers also helps ensure coats reach students quickly, without lengthy intake processes.

This community led effort highlights a wider trend in rural counties where grassroots charity supplements formal safety nets. While annual coat drives cannot substitute for comprehensive economic support, they relieve short term pressures and build civic ties that matter in tight knit communities. For local policymakers, repeated dependence on volunteer drives signals persistent gaps in household resilience, particularly in winter months when utility and clothing needs rise.

Residents who want to help can drop off coats at any of the listed locations through December 20. Organizers plan to coordinate with schools and county resource centers to place donations where they are most needed before the coldest weeks of the season.