In places such as War, West Virginia, Rogersville, Tennessee and Cleveland, Georgia, temperatures can hover around freezing during the months of January and February for days, or even weeks, at a time.

Now, try to put yourself in the place of a young boy or girl standing out at a bus stop on a cold, blustery winter’s day shivering in at best an old hand-me-down threadbare coat, and perhaps nothing more than a thin sweater or sweatshirt.

In the most poverty-stricken areas of Appalachia, that is far too often the case.

But, this year, in War, Rogersville and Cleveland, and several other locations, there are 1,145 children who are warm and comfortable in their brand-new coats provided by Americans Helping Americans® to our partner organizations including Big Creek People in Action, Of One Accord and Caring Hands Ministries and others. In addition, 700 children received pairs of gloves, scarves and warm winter hats.

Of course, we know adults, particularly the most senior of our nation’s citizens, need to stay warm too, so that why, through your generous assistance, Americans Helping Americans® has also been able to provide 990 coats for adults and 1,344 blankets to our partner organizations this winter season.

We believe that warm clothing on cold winter days is the best way to prevent colds and flu, and perhaps worse, and at Americans Helping Americans® that warms our hearts.