One Kingsport area troop has an important tradition—their annual winter clothing drive!  Benefiting the Family Resource Center of Sullivan County, the clothing collected provides a free store for at-risk children and their families to get supplies and clothing that they may need.

This year marks the third year, and they have partnered with another local troop to cover more area. The drive went from late September to early December and had drop-off locations surrounding the city, including elementary schools, restaurants, and churches.

Troop volunteer Chris Bledsoe said, “The coat drive gives us volunteers the opportunity to teach our girls about philanthropy and what it means to give back to our community.”

Last year, they collected 181 items, including 26 coats and jackets, 43 winter hats, 17 pairs of shoes/boots, and more!

This year, the Girl Scouts nearly quadrupled their total last year with a total of 625 items collected!

The breakdown:

• Coats/jackets-120 (4 New)
• Shirts/sweaters- 144 (3 New)
• Pants/leggings- 20 (4 New)
• Skirts/dresses-11
• Shoes/boots-19
• Hats- 27 (5 New)
• Scarfs- 11 (2 New)
• Pairs of gloves- 14
• Pajamas- 11
• Bathrobes- 4
• NEW Pairs of Socks-150
• NEW underwear- 94

“The coat drive means a lot to me,” said Holly, a Girl Scout Junior, “because it means people who don’t have much can have more. I hope the coats make them feel important too.”

Girl Scouts across the globe learn to take action and make the world a better—and in this case, warmer—place. For families in Kingsport who need a helping hand this winter season, Girl Scout will give them dignity and comfort.  

For more information on becoming a Girl Scout, visit girlscoutcsa.org/join, call 1-800-474-1912, or email info@girlscoutcsa.org.