This year, I have the privilege of co-chairing the Mountaintop Rotary Winter Coat Drive alongside Duncan Greenlee — a project that has grown in both heart and impact since its humble beginnings.
Our story traces back to 2000, when Dr. John Baumrucker quietly purchased and gave away 20 coats at the Methodist Church. That simple act of kindness planted a seed.
Fast forward to 2021, when the Highlands Mountaintop Rotary Club joined forces with the Highlands Emergency Council. Our initial goal was to create Christmas tree ornaments to raise funds for children’s toys, and the community’s response was overwhelming.
But as the new year dawned, Duncan and Marie Johnson from the Emergency Council recognized a deeper need: warm coats for our neighbors facing winter’s chill.
That January, we launched our first official coat drive. Thanks to Long Transfer, who donated large collection boxes, we placed them at various locations around town. Our modest goal was 50 coats —but the generosity of Highlands shone through, and we collected 550 coats that first year.
The following year, we aimed for 500 and received over 1,000.
Last year, we set our sights on 1,000 and were blessed with more than 1,100 coats. The need is real, and so is the community’s compassion.
Our partnership with the Emergency Council remains strong. Together, we apply for grants to purchase new coats, ensuring we have enough for adults and children alike.
Along with coats, we gratefully accept scarves, hats, mittens, socks, and even the occasional pair of boots. Marie and her dedicated team at the Emergency Council organize and distribute these items weekly to those who need them most.
Our club’s “harvesters” – four volunteers each month – collect donations from 17 locations across town, usually on Thursdays. The drive runs through March, and every coat makes a difference.
As Duncan recently shared, “This month, clean out your closet. Start 2026 better organized by giving your seldom-worn outerwear to someone in need. When you offer a coat, you’re warming a grown-up or a child — and your own heart. And you’ve done a charitable deed without spending a dime.”
Want to help? Visit the Highlands Emergency Council at highlandsemergencycouncil.com or mtrgives.org. Together, we can keep the Plateau warm — one coat at a time.
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