BY LAURA DOUGLASS / The Seven Lakes Insider
Inspired by a Facebook post about an anonymous act of kindness — over a dozen winter coats affixed to a fence near an elementary school, free for the taking — Leslie and Bob Rose sprang into action to bring the community together.
Longtime Seven Lakers, and the former owners of Sandhills Winery, the Roses have initiated a two-week coat drive. Donations of new and gently-used jackets of all types and sizes, including children’s and adults winter coats and raincoats may be dropped off at Blush Salon, 1107 Seven Drive, West End, through Jan. 19.
“The purpose is to keep people warm,” Leslie Rose says. “We will have inclement weather through February and would like to help as many people as we can.”
They have collected 39 coats as of Wednesday afternoon and hope the more will arrive. “We are very happy with the response so far,” she adds.
Rose is a professional seamstress and said coats needing minor sewing repairs, such as a missing button or needing a zipper, may be donated as well.
The coats will be hung on the West End Elementary school baseball field’s chain link fence at the intersection of N.C. 211 and Love Grove Church Road through Jan. 31. A plastic cover protects them from weather and a simple sign explains the love offering — “Need a coat? Take a coat.”
