Schumacher, BPA collect coats to help those in need
Photo Credit: Karla Carrillo
To help support Pencader BPA's coat drive, a concerned citizen donates several jackets Thursday at the K-mart in Pike Creek Shopping Center.
January 11, 2012 • By Jason Ammermon, Staff Reporter
Filed under News, Top Stories
It is no secret that the winters in New Castle County are very cold. Daily, we see people of all ages bundling up in their new Northface jackets, hoodies, and other outerwear. Lately, however, with the economy struggling and a local tragedy striking, many are not so lucky.
On Jan. 4, a fire broke out at the Fox Run Apartments in Bear, causing severe damage. Several families not only lost their homes, but also lost all of their belongings, including their winter coats.
This tragedy had an emotional effect on Rob Schumacher, who heads Pencader Charter High School’s business department and BPA chapter. He pondered the issue for awhile before tossing an idea at his BPA officers.
“When I heard about the fire my heart sank because I lived there 15 years ago,” said Schumacher. “It makes you hug your kids when you hear about things like this. You think about what you would grab if your house was on fire. Losing all your belongings of value truly puts things in perspective.”
After some discussion, the BPA members finalized their idea: Pencader would start a coat drive not only to aid the families that lost their homes, but to help people living in shelters who are also suffering from the low temperatures.
The BPA began its coat drive on Jan. 9 and will continue to collect coats through Jan 23. The group’s goal is to collect as many coats as possible, and then distribute them to the victims of the Fox Run Apartments fire, as well as to local homeless shelters.
To have a larger effect, Pencader’s BPA chapter will not be working alone at collecting coats. Schumacher reached out to a BPA chapter at another school, and the group agreed to help the cause.
“I decided to reach out to a friend at Alfred G. Waters Middle School in Middletown,” said Schumacher. “She jumped on board and is collecting coats in the southern part of New Castle County.”
Schumacher was also invited to discuss the coat drive on local radio station WSTW earlier this week.
The main collections for coats will take place today (Jan. 11) from 4-7 pm. There will be three collection spots where people can donate outerwear: the Acme in Fox Run Shopping Center in Bear; the K-mart in Governors Square Shopping Center in Bear; and the K-mart in Pike Creek Shopping Center in Pike Creek.
Pencader’s BPA members will be present at each of these locations to collect coats from anyone willing to donate. Coats, along with other outerwear such as sweaters and hoodies, should be new or gently worn.
Students and faculty can also bring any outerwear donations to Schumacher in room 403.
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