Thank you for the Coats

December 12, 2017

The frigid days of winter are already upon the communities in the mountainous regions of Appalachia. That’s why each year, we distribute thousands of coats and winter accessories to our partners, such as Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA) in McDowell County, and others in the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and elsewhere.

Last December, thanks to our supporters, we were able to provide hundreds of heavy winter coats which BCPIA distributed to the neediest children and adults in their community.

“We recently had a free giveaway and were able to offer coats, shoes, and hats. I am sure many people would not think of this as a big thing – but it is a big thing in our community,” reported BCPIA co-executive director Marsha Timpson.

In Beattyville, Kentucky, our partner, the Lee County Family Resource Center located in the local elementary school, distributed hundreds of coats to students in the fall. They keep a reserve supply on hand for those cold winter days when a child shows up for school without any kind of coat or jacket.

Through our “Coats for Americans” initiative, we strive to supply our partners with enough coats to meet their ever-increasing demands.

Nothing gives them, and us, more satisfaction than seeing the huge smile on the face of a child when they put on their very own brand-new colorful new coat.

“I want to thank Big Creek People In Action for the winter coats they have given out this year,” said Brandi. “Every time I have gone to Big Creek People In Action they have signs posted that the coats came from Americans Helping Americans®.

Related Blogs

Operation Warmth: Keeping Appalachia Warm This Winter

Operation Warmth: Keeping Appalachia Warm This Winter

Winter is here in the hills and hollers of Appalachia, where in West Virginia, winter lows are often below freezing and sometimes drop below 10 degrees, according to West Virginia University. And this year, the Old Farmer’s Almanac released its 2025/2026 winter…

Volunteer group standing in front of a newly built wheelchair-accessible ramp outside a rural West Virginia home.

Poverty in West Virginia: Causes, Impact, and Solutions

Life in rural West Virginia is defined by close-knit communities, rugged mountains, and deep cultural traditions. Yet behind the beauty and resilience of the state lies a difficult truth: poverty in West Virginia remains one of the most persistent challenges in the…

McDowell County families sharing a holiday meal hosted by Big Creek People in Action and Americans Helping Americans

A Season of Sharing in McDowell County

Last year, Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA), with the generous support of Americans Helping Americans®, helped ensure that the spirit of togetherness filled McDowell County from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Across several weeks, families gathered for community…

Smiling child in a red hoodie holding a donated holiday ham for a Christmas meal.

Bringing the Warmth of the Holidays to Appalachian Families

This coming holiday season, Americans Helping Americans® is providing grant funding to our Appalachian partners to enable the less fortunate in their distressed communities to enjoy festive Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. In Georgia, our partner in Gainesville,…