JCPL Collecting Coats For Giving Tree Project
The Johnson County Public Library (JCPL) is collecting winter coats and hats in all adult sizes to distribute to those without warm clothing ahead of the colder weather. The donations will fill the Giving Tree that will soon be set up in the library foyer.
“Last fall I saw there were a lot of people coming in who were homeless and cold. I knew the community would want to come together and meet this need,” said Korri Schuster, user services coordinator, who suggested the one-time project stay as a permanent program to meet the needs of community members.
Similar to a blessing box, items hung on the tree in the library foyer are donated and can be freely taken by community members who need them. JCPL is looking for donations of jackets, coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, and scarves to fill the tree branches. These are the only items accepted for the project. The biggest need is for adult sizes, as other local organizations provide for children in need. The library will be accepting donations throughout the fall and winter months to continue to refill the tree branches as the jackets and items find new homes.
The service project is based on the needs of the people the staff see regularly visiting the library, including many homeless adults. With so many local projects dedicated to meeting the needs of children, the staff wanted to help adults who may not be able to afford clothing to protect themselves from the winter cold.
“It gives our patrons their dignity to be able to anonymously take what they need without having to ask or explain their circumstances,” said Library Assistant Mitzi Sears.
The White Oak Wonders Homeschool Club originally started the service project, inspired by the Shel Silverstein book of the same name. After weeks of running the project, the club donated its handmade paper mâché tree to the library to continue collecting items for community members in need.
The tree will be returning this year as the temperatures drop in Johnson County and will stay to help patrons until the seasons change and it is no longer needed.
Branch Manager Jimmy Ritchie (left) and Outreach and Programming Librarian Lydia Gunter display the handmade Giving Tree in January 2024, which held donations of winter items for adults in need at the Johnson County Public Library. The library is once again using the Giving Tree to collect donations of adult coats and winter accessories to help serve low-income and homeless patrons during the upcoming winter weather. The tree will serve as a donation and distribution point for winter items in the ongoing clothing collection project.
–Graphic photo by Stephanie Baker
This story appears in the Sept. 25 edition of The Graphic, found online or in businesses throughout Johnson County and surrounding areas.
