Sheppards Gate

East Bay’s “One Warm Coat” Project A Huge Success!

There is an increasing number of East Bay families at risk during these challenging times.  The One Warm Coat project is a critical service provided to these families.

For the past 13 years we have organized our local real estate community to participate in the One Warm Coat project.  We spent the last two weeks collecting any type of good warm clothing; coats, sweaters, blankets, sleeping bags, socks, hats, etc.   This year there was over 15,000 pieces of clothing collected in the East Bay for this critical project.  Giving back  is critical for all of us who are alive.

What we have discovered is that people in our community want to help with the needs of those less fortunate.  Often times the reason they don’t participate in giving is because they have not been given an easy way to do so.  We passed out over 1,000 large plastic bags on the front porches of the neighborhoods for whom we serve their real estate needs.  We made it very easy for individuals to help, and they did in overwhelming ways.  You would not believe how many truck loads of pick-ups I made.  It is as if the community as a whole are reordering their priorities and giving back even more during these difficult economic times.  “If you have a loaf then at least share a slice.”

We even invited other friends of ours to take up the challenge to gather warm clothing.  Dean Langston from Milestone Mortgage  and Ashley Provost from ROI Home Services  decide to through a Holiday party at Dean’s home as the “hook”.  The ticket to the party was a warm coat.  They collected over 660 coats the night of the party!!!  They even involved our local community vendors to supply the party’s needs.  For example, The Peasant & The Pear supplied all the food!  And they passed out coupons for a free dessert the next time you go their restaurant.  It was an inspiring result from two people dedicated to giving back to the community.

Several community organizations are benefiting from the collection of all these warm clothes.  Two of them are Sheperd’s Gate, and Contra Costa Family Services.  The impact these two organizations have in serving families at risk is unbelievable.  Contact me  if you would like to find out more information as to who you can help in serving the community needs of the East Bay.  Until next time.