In November, The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove initiated Heartwarming Holidays, a service project to provide warm outerwear to local elementary school children in need. The community responded with enthusiasm; drop off boxes were located at many government and business locations including Milam’s, Coconut Grove Cleaners and Laundry, Adventure Sports, the Grove Sailing Club, Berries in the Grove, the Bayshore Grove office building, the Post Office and the City of Miami Riverside Center. Ransom Everglades High School showed its community spirit by having a donation contest for all their sports teams, and a Ransom Everglades parent made a very generous financial contribution.
The Rotary Club was able to donate more than 450 new or “like new” sweaters, jackets, hoodies and raincoats to pre-K to 5th grade students at Coconut Grove elementary schools. There was enough surplus to send sweaters and jackets to children in the Florida Panhandle who had lost their winter outerwear due to Hurricane Michael. A special thank you to Jeff Catanach, the owner of the UPS Store, who graciously offered to pack and pay the shipping to the Panhandle Rotary Club for distribution.
“The response of our community was both extraordinary and encouraging, and the children who received the clothing were surprised and very pleased,” said Rotary Foundation President Don Kesler. “Our club plans to make this an annual event; our goal is to make sure that all Coconut Grove children will stay warm and dry during the wintertime.”
