The plan

Here's the plan and approach:

1. Looking for information as to how I can contact someone in the clothing industry to perhaps buy coats at a reduced rate.
2. Asking you as readers of this blog to share it with others who may be interested in donating coats.
3. I have a storage unit where I plan to keep the coats.  Please avoid wool as the current storage unit isn't climate controlled.
4. There is no timeline (yet) for this goal.
5. Please pray for this effort and for the people who receive the coats.
6. New coats only please as a symbol of love and respect to those who receive them.  There are many fine organizations that collect and distribute used clothing, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.
7. Coats will be donated to EVCC's "Imagine" events each year.

Now all we need are coats.  Who wants to be first?

Kickoff

Hi All,

This is the first post to my new blog to document a journey to collect and distribute 1,000 new coats.  Let me tell you why I'm doing this...

A few years ago my wife Amy and I started attending Eastview Christian Church (EVCC) in Normal Illinois.  One of the major events at EVCC is an annual mass distribution of food, Christmas gifts, and new coats (that they obtain from church attendees).  My life changed one Saturday afternoon when I had the privilege to attend the distribution.  Hundreds and hundreds of people waiting hours to receive these items - and also hundreds of volunteers to help distribute.  It was amazing working with the guests and being a part of the giving; really the first time in my life that i could say "it is better to give than receive"... (of course, I felt like I was the one who was receiving because my heart was so full of joy and passion for these folks).

That day I went home and literally sobbed; not just a little misty eye, but an all out cry when I told Amy some of the details of the experience.  One woman was telling me how cold it was outside (as she was waiting for several hours before the opening...) and she was wearing a sweatshirt.  I asked her "where's your coat?", and she replied with "I didn't have one, but I do now"... Are you kidding me?  People without coats?  Some people don't have coats?  WHAT IN THE WORLD?  I knew there was poverty out there but I guess I was just so oblivious to the real truths of some lives, even in our very middle-class community.

The next year I committed to shopping for new coats for the following year's distribution.  My mom and some of her friends even pitched in!  And now summer 2010 Amy told me about a woman here in town who was able to collect hundreds of shoes for people in Haiti... (more on that story later) I was instantly inspired, felt God tugging on my heart, and 1,000 coats seems like a worthy and joy filled pursuit.

Who will help me love those in need?