By Shelley Smithssmith@salisburypost.com
The Rowan County Democratic Party donated 208 coats and other needed items to Rowan Helping Ministries Friday afternoon. It was one of the largest donations Rowan Helping Ministries has seen in a while.
“This amount of clothing will serve many people,” said Cam Campbell, volunteer program manager for Rowan Helping Ministries. “This time of year we are in need of warm clothing, and we have been running low on coats.”
The Rowan County Democratic Party Chair, Genoal Russell, said that the donation was part of a Democrat day of service in N.C.
“We called and asked what they needed the most, and then called people rounding up the donations,” Russell said. “The Democrats are compassionate, caring people. We were eager to help. It was exciting.”
Russell said the transport of coats and other items took five cars and nine people.
“We sort of had an assembly line going on,” she said.
A donation of $155 was also given to the Democratic party, which will be used to buy urgent items for Rowan Helping Ministries.
“We will spend it on their wish list,” Russell said.
Rowan Helping Ministries is asking for seasonal clothing only due to lack of storage space. Clothing and monetary donations can be dropped off Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“This amount of clothing will serve many people this time of year,” said Campbell. “We are really in need of warm clothing.”
Campbell said the 208 coats will probably last one month. “We have 70 to 80 people a day in here signing up for our services,” she said.
Among the coats, the following were also given by the Rowan County Democratic Party: 31 pairs of pants, 15 dresses, 213 pairs of underwear, 72 pairs of socks, 57 sweaters, 25 shirts and more.
“People were so generous in their donations, and we know they will go far for our community,” Russell said.