Ninety-three coats is an amount that one would normally expect to find in a thrift store, not in someone’s living room, but Melissa Wilder is no ordinary 21-year-old. She hopes that through her coat drive, all of those coats will be gone from her family’s house and into the hands of those who need them.
On Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m., Wilder will host a coat giveaway at the Morgan Hill Library. Donations are welcome during the event and anyone in need who comes may receive a jacket.
Wilder has been a resident of Morgan Hill for 15 years, and thinks that homelessness in the city is so new that there are not enough resources to provide for those in need.
“I hadn’t noticed people holding signs until this last year,” she said.
A recent cold snap propelled her into action. She noticed a woman in her 20s wearing a thin jacket in front of Fro-Yo Delite, begging with her young child.
“It broke my heart that all I could do was give her a few dollars,” she said. “After that, I went to Goodwill and bought 10 coats to keep in my car to give away when I could.”
She forged ahead, too, continuing to collect from the community since Christmas. In addition to the coats, she has collected recycling to raise money to purchase more jackets from Goodwill. She went door to door, leaving fliers with attached candy canes, asking for anything that could be donated.
At first, the response was not very heartening. She almost gave up because of the low number of donations. Later that day, she was driving in San Jose and noticed a man who was wearing latex gloves to ward off the cold. She had gloves to give him, but only smaller women’s coats in her car.
It didn’t even matter to him, she said.
“He started crying because his hands were so cold from the rain, and he was so happy to have a pair,” she said. After that encounter, Melissa decided that she would persevere. “Even if I only give out 10 coats, it’s still making a difference in people’s lives,” she said.
Her patience was rewarded. The number of coats grew from 10 to 93. The bags kept coming in and now they are taking over the living room. What didn’t fit inside has gone into storage containers in the backyard.
Justin Huerta, Melissa’s boyfriend of a year, says that at first she was daunted by the proportions of the coat collection. She asked him if she was taking on too much, but he encouraged her to keep going.
“If this is something you really want to do” – even if just two people showed at the event – “it will be helping someone out,” he told her.
Gillian Montgomerey, who hired Wilder as a nanny for her children, said that Wilder surprised her with the size of the coat drive.
“She gives me hope for the youth, because everyone calls them the ‘Me’ generation,” Montgomery said. “She is dispelling that myth, which I love.”
Paul Loughridge, Melissa’s neighbor, agrees. He can’t believe that someone so young is leading a drive like this.
“A young adult her age with compassion and foresight to not think of herself and think of other people is amazing, it’s heartwarming,” he said.
Loughridge donated coats and recycling to the cause, and will try to make it to the event. He has been a resident for 30 years and admits it can be easy to not notice the struggles of homelessness. Because of the invisible qualities of the problem, he believes this to be a great way to reach out.
“I would hope more people participate,” he said. “Who doesn’t have a spare jacket?”
There are still things that need to be done to get the word out. Wilder and her friends have posted fliers around the town to make sure anyone who needs a jacket knows there are some available. She created a Facebook page – “One Man’s Can is another Man’s Coat” – and has posted ads on Craigslist about the event. She urges everyone in the community who knows someone in need to pass the word along.
Wilder stressed that the event will also be a social one, not just a line for handouts. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will be served, and she hopes people will be able to relax there. Donations of prepared food are welcome to add to the meal.
Coat donations are also welcome during the event, and Wilder mentioned that there is still a need for kid sizes. Any inquiries about pickup or drop-off can be sent to her at
wi************@ym***.com
.
Wilder believes this is a big chance for Morgan Hill residents to do something for those who are suffering in their own community. She wants this to be something different than any other charity.
“I wanted to make it more personal,” she said. “Morgan Hill helping Morgan Hill. We see a social issue and wait for someone to save us. I wanted to do something together instead of waiting.”
Melissa Wilder will host a coat giveaway event from 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Morgan Hill Library, 660 W Main Ave. in Morgan Hill. Donations are welcome during the event.
