Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012

Teen fills a great need for coats, but more donations are sought to help fill demand

Sarah Ram wanted to make sure those in need of a warm coat got some help this year.

"A lot of times, people will think more of women and children, and not so much men," the 19-year-old cosmetology student said.

Ram collected 60 coats from the congregation of her church, during a coat drive she called "Love Out Loud."

"I knew the winter was setting in and it was going to be cold," Ram said.

The congregation at her church, Praise Fellowship International, quickly filled a 50-gallon drum, Ram said.

Pastor Joe Roberts, an envoy for the Los Banos Salvation Army, said adult men and teenagers often get forgotten in the piles of donated clothing that come in.

Roberts said donations should not have busted zippers, big holes or be stained beyond repair.

"They need to be something (the donater) would wear," he said.

Roberts said the best times for clothing donations are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday between 10 a.m. and noon at The Salvation Army, 1231 Fourth St. For more, call The Salvation Army office at (209) 827-4945.

Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanos

enterprise.com.

Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanos enterprise.com.