Families pick out winter coats, socks at community event

Originally published by The Toledo Blade. View the original posting.

The line of Toledoans waiting to pick out free winter coats snaked its way through the halls of Jones Leadership Academy and out the door into the chilly November morning air.

Saturday marked the 13th annual Susie’s Coats distribution event, this year held in partnership with Toledo Public Schools, The Salvation Army, and Hannah’s Socks.

Toledoan Ciera Florence, 29, waited in line with her boyfriend and five children for about an hour to get in and pick out their coats. She found out about the event through her mom.

“There’s a lot of families who are struggling with financial problems. It’s a very big help for people who are low on money or don’t have jobs at the moment,” she said. “I think this is a wonderful thing. It’s a big blessing.”

The free-coat distribution began 13 years ago when Susan Perry collected 50 coats to donate to those in need on her 50th birthday. The next year, she collected more.

Mrs. Perry’s husband, Mark Perry, said the organization served about 1,000 Toledoans at last year’s distribution day, and the long lines Saturday morning suggested the need has continued to grow.

“We know we can’t help everybody, but we’re trying to put a little dent into it,” he said.

On Saturday Mrs. Perry greeted families and smiled as she watched child after child show off their new coats.

“If we can keep our children warm, they feel safe. And when they feel safe, they’re much more hopeful about the next day,” she said. “I understand that firsthand.”

Mrs. Perry lives in Woodville, Ohio, and teaches at University of Findlay. She grew up in Toledo and experienced poverty and homelessness and witnessed domestic violence as a child.

“This is a way for me to help our community see that this doesn’t have to be their story. There are resources for them.” she said. “I hope this event makes enough of a difference that they can say, ‘Today is a really good day. I’m warm. Someone is willing to help me.’”

The children’s coats are all brand new, paid for through donations. This year employees at the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant donated 100 new coats for kids. The adult coats are a mixture of new and gently used. Attendees could also pick out hats, gloves, socks, and books.

Susie’s Coats used to distribute out of the backs of trucks, so when a person made it to the front of the line they received the next available coat in their size. Being able to hang the coats on racks organized by size at Jones Leadership Academy allows families to find the right garments to fit their needs.

“Now they can do some shopping. It’s much more dignified,” Mrs. Perry said.

Brittany Bobbitt, 28, brought her two sons, ages 1 and 9, to the coat distribution Saturday. She heard about the event through the YWCA of Northwest Ohio.

“It’s very nice to give out to the families who need coats and hats. I think that is very special. I hope they keep doing it,” she said.

Her son Kameron Gray, 9, said his jacket at home is too big for him, so he’s glad to have a new one that fits better.

“I’m going to wear it all winter,” he said. “It feels good to have a new coat.”

The distribution day is the nonprofit’s main event each year, but Susie’s Coats donates coats all winter long. The organization is listed as an official warm clothing provider with United Way’s 2-1-1 program, so when anyone in need of winter gear calls the hotline they’re often referred to Mrs. Perry.

She estimates the organization gives away more than 5,000 items each winter.

“I would say every day I get a phone call,” Mrs. Perry said.