TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

Highlands volunteers are seeking to build a community of warm hands and hearts through a coat collection for needy district students.

Parent Christina Faltot of Harrison has launched her third annual “Winter Ready Rams” drive, which runs through October.

“Knowing even one student will be warmer this winter is enough for me to keep collecting year after year,” Faltot said.

New or gently used coats, hoodies, scarves, gloves and hats will be collected at the Highlands Golden Rams home football games Sept. 30 and Oct. 21.

Bins also are available for drop-off at three homes throughout the district:

• 200 Banbury Lane, Natrona Heights, which is off Route 908 near Route 28’s Exit 16;

• 233 Chinkapin Drive, Natrona Heights, which is off Oak Manor Drive;

In the first two efforts, Faltot was able to give away nearly 400 coats, along with 12 snowsuits and other items to keep kids warm when the temperatures turn cold.

“I’ve been embraced by a giving community who helped us collect over 215 coats last year alone,” Faltot said.

She said there is a particular need for hoodies for older students who prefer them over coats.

Last year, the Tarentum Area Lions Club helped the cause by using club funds to purchase new items.

Club President Jody Shumaker, a retired Highlands teacher, said the club bought 15 winter coats and sherpa hoodies ranging in size from children’s to men’s extra-large.

“The Lions Club motto is ‘We serve,’ ” Shumaker said. “With that in mind, I went to one of our club’s meetings and asked if we could help out in some way. The decision to help out was unanimous, especially since we have a vested interest: Many of us live in the school district area.”

Shumaker plans to propose to members the idea of participating again during the club’s next meeting Tuesday.

“I know some of our club members will not hesitate to help out,” she said.

Coats will be distributed discreetly through Highlands administrators at each building. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade will receive items.

Faltot said she washes and packages each coat for delivery.

She thanked the community for helping to care for students in need.

She said kids have enough to deal with without worrying about basic essentials.

“Doing good during the bad is something I’ve tried to live by and share with my own children,” Faltot said. “When caught up in the negativity ‘in the day-to-day,’ doing this annual coat drive is a family affair giving us somewhere to focus our energy to make a difference.”

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya by email at tpanizzi@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Support Local Journalism and help us continue covering the stories that matter to you and your community.

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

© 2022 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved

Send Letter to the Editor

TribLIVE App - App Store

TribLIVE App - Google Play