Coat drive continues to provide community with warmth for 20 years

When bringing his daughter to kindergarten in 2005, Chris Thornell of New England Family Chiropractic saw a small rack of coats that were meant for donation. 

"It dawned on me at that point that through our office I thought we could do something to help," he said. 

From 15 coats the first year to well over 200 this year, the number of donations made to keep the children of Wareham warm has grown over the past 20 years. Thornell's practice only accepts new coat donations from staff, patrons and the community. 

"If it was me I wouldn't want a used coat, I'd want a new one," he said. 

According to Thornell, staff at his practice will knit hats, mittens and scarves to go along with the donations. As the spring sales hit the racks at local stores, donations will start as soon as February. 

Once all of the donations are collected, Thornell hands them over to the Wareham High School Key Club for distribution. 

"Amazingly every year just about every coat goes," he said. "No matter how many we bring in they usually all go."

The coats will be available at Wareham High School on Saturday, Nov. 15 outside Wareham High School at 7 Viking Drive starting at 9 a.m. Children must be present to get a coat with many sizes available to grab. 

"It's an enjoyable thing to do," he said. "It doesn't feel like work. The people who participate really enjoy doing it."