By Melanie York
Pittsboro, NC – Chatham Winter Weather Survival Drive Program (WWSD) successfully collected 3,676 items including 829 coats since October 1. There have been four distribution events held at Chatham Alliance/Salvation Army Siler City monthly food distribution, George Moses Horton Middle School, Washington Avenue Park in conjunction with Chatham Health Alliance Holiday Hub, and Chatham Community Library Holmes Meeting Room with a combined estimate of 500 people in attendance.
In addition, many coats, outerwear and blankets have been provided to the Chatham County School System for children in need as well as Salvation Army of Chatham, Second Bloom and other service organizations.
Currently we have about 75 winter coats/vests available for those in need as well as some hats, many scarves, sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, flannel shirts and heavy pants. If there are individuals or families in need, contact a Chatham County service provider/organization and request assistance from the WWSD. If there is a Chatham organization that would like to provide support for another distribution event, please contact Chatham WWSD at chathamwwsd.org.
We are grateful to our collection location partners Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, North Chatham SECU, Pittsboro SECU, Wren Memorial Public Library, Goldston Public Library, Pittsboro United Methodist Church, and St Bartholomew Episcopal Church. Many thanks to Chatham County Schools, Chatham County Library Services and all three branch managers, Chatham Alliance and Chatham Health Alliance for their support with distribution venues.
Our sponsors 79°West Innovation Hub, Mosaic at Chatham Park, North Chatham Village UPS Store7854, U-Haul at Vickers Road, Lowes Home Improvement, The Local Church and Chapel Hill/Pittsboro Indian Community for their generous in-kind donations of signage, transport, equipment, storage/processing space. Special thanks to Girl Scout Troop 1024, Cub Scout Troop 951, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for their service and donations.
Finally, our heartfelt thanks to the Chatham WWSD volunteer team for their dedication, time, talents and resilience no matter the task or weather! The Chatham WWSD has been in operation for three years and has been 100% led and staffed by volunteers, most retired. As the program moves into 2025 it will be necessary to evaluate the value of the Chatham WWSD to the Chatham County community and determine the future. Additional and sustaining support will be essential.
For additional information about the Chatham Winter Weather Survival Drive Program, website: chathamwwsd.org or contact myork928@gmail.com.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the many needs in Chatham County!