November 1, 2006

Girl Scout unit holds ‘One Warm Coat and a Blanket Too’ event

Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County Service Unit 38 is hosting its fourth annual month-long One Warm Coat and a Blanket Too Drive benefiting Sacred Heart Community Service (SHCS) of San Jose. The drive runs from Oct.31 to Nov. 30.

During the past three years, Girl Scout Service Unit 38 has collected more than 4,500 gently used coats, jackets and sweaters during its annual drive. This year, the Girl Scouts have added gently used blankets, sheets and sleeping bags to its annual drive after reading a newspaper article that Sacred Heart Community Service runs short on blankets during the winter months.

SHCS officials are looking forward to this year’s drive and indicated that donated items go to immediate use by those who need them.

“Keeping warm is something that many of our neighbors literally cannot afford,” Todd Madigan, community involvement coordinator for SHCS, said. “Beyond the physical discomfort of being cold, the lack of something like a blanket can mean two or three children must sleep together in the same bed for warmth, which can impact their quality of sleep, and therefore their ability to concentrate at school.”

Nineteen Girl Scout troops from GSSCC Service Unit 38 (Cambrian, Campbell, Willow Glen) have signed up to collect gently used coats, jackets, and sweaters of all sizes along with blankets, sheets and sleeping bags to benefit Sacred Heart Community Service. The One Warm Coat drive begins on Oct.31, which is meaningful to all Girl Scouts because it is Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Lowe’s birthday.

“Please join us in making a difference in the lives of our impoverished community members. Even something as simple as a blanket can have a life-changing impact,” Madigan said.

Collection Locations include Fammatre Elementary School at 2800 New Jersey Ave., Bagby School, at 1840 Harris Ave., Sartorette School, 3850 Woodford Drive, Galarza/Hammer School, 1610 Bird Ave., 1503 Padres Court and 2919 Julio Ave. Look for the collection boxes near the front gate or school office. A complete list of donation locations can be found at http://www.onewarmcoat.org.

For additional information, contact GSSCC Service Unit 38 One Warm Coat Coordinator Michelle Alaimo at 408-266-6777 or malaimo@sbcglobal.net.