Jacket collection aims for 1,000 before the cold rolls in.
By Ellen Sussman
Gayle Creamer, owner of Salon at the Ranch in Amado, is aiming to collect 1,000 jackets, hoodies and vests by Oct. 18, to keep kids, teens and adults comfortable and snug once chilly weather sets in.
Creamer said she has wanted to undertake a community project since she opened the salon eight years ago. They kicked off the effort in March, when Salon at the Ranch bought two Elton John concert tickets and raffled them off for $800. So far, they have about 650.
“Since then, we have also had many cash donations and have been able to purchase many kid’s jackets,” she said.
She’s not alone. Business neighbor Ooh La La Designer Consignor, the Sonoran Desert Center for Spiritual Living, Rotary Club of Green Valley and the Community Food Bank Amado and Green Valley are also helping.
The idea for the jacket drive came about when someone wanted to consign coats to Ooh La La. It wasn’t the right season for coats, Creamer thought. That’s when she realized if someone wasn’t able to consign them, they could donate them to a worthy cause such as “Warmth from the Heart” was born.
Creamer approached the Sonoran Desert Center for Spiritual Living, and they loved the idea so much they seeded the fund so she could buy jackets in sizes she needed.
Rotary Club of Green Valley member Julie Reppenhagen has arranged for jackets and financial donations to be received at the following sites:
- Green Valley-Amado Food Bank, 250 W. Continental Road
- Amado Food Bank, 28720 S. Nogales Highway
- Grill on the Green, 5800 S. Camino del Sol
- Four Green Valley Fire District stations: 250 N La Canada, 1285 W. Camino Encanto, 210 W. Continental Road and 898 N. Campbell Road.
- Salon at the Ranch and the Sonoran Desert Center for Spiritual Living in Amado.
Creamer said the Sonoran Desert Center for Spiritual Living is a non-profit and cash and check donations are tax deductible. Checks may be made out to Sonoran Desert CSL and marked “Warmth from the Heart”.
New and gently worn jackets will be given to families from Sahuarita to Rio Rico at the Amado Food Bank on Oct. 21.