Coat drive warms up more than 250 people

By Jim Maniaci
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Approximately 180 new coats and 65 used ones have been given out already during the 4th annual Pam Woods Coats for Kids in Cibola County campaign.

And organizers say another 10 or so new ones remain to be distributed.

This means those who put the effort together will reach their expectation of helping at least 250 people stay a little warmer this winter.

Ken Woods, the widower of the late Pam Woods, and step-daughter Ashley Williamson, were joined by the local VFW post in raising about $4,400 through donations including a large motorcycle run and auction and $1,000 from Wal-Mart to almost triple the amount raised in 2004 for the 3rd annual effort.

Working with the public schools, the organizers received lists with the name, gender, age and size of each boy or girl whom teachers spotted as needing a warm coat for the winter. Other groups supplemented the lists when organizers realized there was more money than children.

During the first wave of distribution at the VFW post in Grants, some of the children who came with their mothers or fathers were delighted, some almost speechless. And some pointed out how nice they think it is for others to care about them staying warm in winter.

To finish using the money, Woods said, "We're getting names from knowledgeable people." He and his supporters wanted to include parents in the distribution, after the kids were all covered.

Organizers have an arrangement with a factory in Albuquerque with a big discount, resulting in more coats being available.

The local effort began in 2002 when Mrs. Woods took her son to school and noticed some children running around in the chilly temperatures and frigid winds without a coat.

Wanting to do something tangible about the problem, she launched the first effort.

"It gets bigger every year," said her daughter, now a student at New Mexico State University-Grants.

— To contact reporter Jim Maniaci, telephone 285-6184 in Grants or (505) 870-7775 (cellular).