With the leaves turning and temperatures dropping, girls from the fifth- and sixth- grade soccer team with the Tabernacle Athletic Association are working to make sure everyone can stay warm this winter.
In an effort to help families in the local community and throughout Burlington County, the team chose to start a coat collection. Their efforts were quickly supported by both the TAA and the Tabernacle School District. Kristen Lehmann, mother of team member Shayna, says the collection idea was a total team effort.
“One girl had done a drive previously, and when the girls heard about it, they said ‘let’s do this as a team.’ They are really excited about it,” Lehmann said. “Thankfully, the coats will be given to our local communities.”
The girls’ goal eventually led them to their motto for the drive, “Kick the Cold.” The team partnered with a national organization “One Warm Coat” to help support the drive.
One Warm Coat, which accepts clean, gently used coats of all sizes, started in 1992 with a Thanksgiving weekend coat drive at one location in San Francisco. Since then, it has welcomed thousands of groups across North America, who joined its efforts with the same goal: collect coats to give to those in need, free of charge.
Lynne Hedden, president of the TAA, said she is always impressed by the efforts of its members to support the community.
“Anytime we have a member of the organization approach us with a fundraiser or collection idea, we try to be as supportive as possible. Throughout the year, we have members starting Alex’s Lemonade Stands, or food drives or clothing drives. It’s really special to see and be a part of,” Hedden said. “It is something that brings everyone together and that can be a source of good throughout the community.”
On Sept. 27, the girls met before practice to create, decorate and paint collection boxes. Boxes will be placed in the lobbies of Tabernacle Elementary School and the Kenneth R. Olson Middle School as well as in the lobby of Salon Luxx in Medford from Oct. 21 through Nov 11.
Tabernacle’s superintendent of schools, George Rafferty, said the district’s relationship with the TAA is one they greatly value.
“We work very closely with the TAA as many of our students participate in their leagues throughout the year. They provide such a wonderful service to the community and are made up of great coaches and great people,” Rafferty said. “Our schools are here for our community, and we’re more than happy to help.”
