We may not be up north, but the winter still gets cold in Chattanooga. As many as 500 people often sleep outside or in homeless shelters each night, and local resident Jeff Clem decided to do something about the upcoming winter weather: a blanket-and-coat drive called Share the Warmth. He is personally collecting gently used blankets, coats, and any other warm clothing, such as socks, sweatshirts, and gloves, to donate to Chattanooga’s homeless.
While he has some experience with nonprofit organizations, this is the first time Jeff has done anything to help the homeless. Now, he sees that a single blanket or coat can change someone’s life—and is working to change the lives of Chattanooga’s homeless, one blanket at a time. All donations will be sent to the Chattanooga Rescue Mission.
Jeff has currently set up three different drop-off locations—the North River YMCA, Hixson United Methodist Church, and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure office at the Eastgate Town Center. If you can’t make the drop-off locations for any reason, he will bring the collection site directly to you. Just contact Jeff at sharethewarmthdrive@gmail.com or the project’s Facebook community Share the Warmth.
With winter coming early this year, the last day for pick-up is November 24, so be sure to visit the collection sites or contact the organization before it gets too cold!