By collecting coats and blankets for those in need, Project Warmth wallops winter

Twelve-year-old Jackson Lee of Lee’s Summit and other members of Boy Scout Troop 262 hustled Saturday through the busy warehouse on Summit Street in Kansas City, helping unload truck after truck piled high with donated coats and blankets.

This was drop-off day for Project Warmth, the annual event that collects cold-weather necessities for the homeless and needy. Now in its 32nd year, Project Warmth collects thousands of coats — tons of donations — each year that go to more than 50 organizations.

Lee and his troop had spent a windy Friday night sleeping in a cardboard box on the cold ground outside the Summit Fair shopping center to draw attention to the plight of the homeless before the Scouts began volunteer work for Project Warmth.

“They all got a firsthand experience,” said Jackson’s father, Peter Lee.

Trucks arriving from Project Warmth’s 10 drop-off sites lined up on Summit Street waiting for their turn at the warehouse loading dock. Inside, the Scouts, along with college sorority sisters, high school JROTC cadets and other volunteers, about 200 in all, sorted the donations.

Several varieties of outerwear — parkas, overcoats, jackets, sport coats, raincoats, hoodies — were in piles on the floor. They had to be sorted for men, women and children before being packed into plastic bags.

“Controlled chaos. That’s what it is,” said Carrie McHenry.

In her years as a Project Warmth volunteer, McHenry has seen the coats and blankets go to needy people at homeless shelters, schools, churches and nursing homes.

“Everybody gets cold,” she said. “Some people don’t ask for help. They won’t.” At the places that receive the donated coats, “they know they can come in and not be judged.”

Earlier on Saturday, donors streamed to the drop-off sites on a breezy and brisk but blue-sky day. Volunteers were there to bag items and to stack the bags high in trucks.

From larger stashes netted at company and church drives to smaller collections by families and individuals, donors came through.

Jake and Becky Smith of Kansas City drove to the Ward Parkway Center site with their grandchildren, 5-year-old Ellyson and and 6-year-old Jeremy. The sister and brother helped place about eight blankets and four coats in bags.

Bringing the youngsters to deliver the items was partly a lesson for them about sharing, Jake Smith said, a lesson they took to heart.

“We want other children to have them …” Ellyson said.

“… To stay warm,” Jeremy added, finishing the thought.

Carolyn Anderson of Kansas City brought a dozen coats to Ward Parkway.

“I lost a sister last December and she had wonderful coats,” Anderson said. “I decided it was time to do something good with them. She would want me to do this.”

Anderson said her sister, Brenda Wright, was “very sharing” and losing her had not been easy. But she felt ready Saturday to load the coats in the car.

“It felt good to give to this project,” she said.

Barbara and Harry Paddock arrived in their minivan with three boxes and multiple bags of coats and blankets collected at their church, Raymore Presbyterian.

“We’re kind of small, but we give a lot,” Barbara Paddock said with a laugh. “We had a place up by the altar, and every Sunday for about a month, people would bring their things.”

Workers at OptumRx in Overland Park volunteered at the Ward Parkway pickup site and held a collection drive at work.

“We wanted to do something to help people before the holidays,” said Renee Taylor, customer service director.

The Firestone store in Waldo offered a tire discount for several weeks to anyone who brought in coats and blankets for Project Warmth.

“This was our first year,” said Catherine Bartow, the store’s tire manager, as she and store manager Jesse Rivard delivered nine bags of items. “But we’re planning on doing it annually.”

Project Warmth collects used and new coats and jackets in all sizes. All types of blankets also are collected, but not clothing. The Salvation Army sorts and distributes the items to shelters and other organizations in the metro area.

Coats and blankets can still be taken to Salvation Army administrative offices (not thrift stores). For information, email info@projectwarmthkc.com or call 816-234-4949.

For money donations, a postage-paid envelope will be included in The Kansas City Star on Dec. 7.

Donations also can be made online at projectwarmthkc.com. Contributions provide cold-weather help for families and individuals through the Mid America Assistance Coalition.

This story was originally published November 8, 2014 at 6:00 AM.