Project Keep Warm started in a basement and has grown to involve over 100 local businesses in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
"We're collecting items from all of our business locations, and we're going to bag them and donate it to those that need," Project Keep Warm Founder, Kevin Cope said.
Two years ago, through his service work in the community, Cope began to learn of a growing need for warm winter clothing in the Lehigh Valley.
"When my wife and I started this project two years ago we started collecting blankets," Cope said.
At that time, Cope collected 250 blankets in his garage that were donated to local shelters. Last year the number of items donated grew to 1,200 and benefited over 15 local non profits. This year nearly 4,000 items were donated from 100 local businesses, making it the largest turnout in the project's history.
Project Keep Warm is a mission that has drawn over 100 volunteers from the community to collect, sort and distribute winter gear to those who need it most.
"One woman didn't know where coats were going to come from," volunteer, Carol Cannon said. "When I pulled up she was like, 'Oh my gosh, you are an answer to a prayer.'"
CEO of the Executive Education Academy Charter School, Robert Lysek, thought the mission was so noble he opened the school as a sorting center and jumped on board as a volunteer.
"Some of the circumstances our students are facing, most of our students, it is out of their control," Lysek said. "To have this type of arm available to them is giant."
It is a mission Cope plans to continue for years to come.
For more information visit the Lehigh Valley Business Group's website.
from 69News:Home http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/project-keep-warm-grows-with-need/30448072
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