Villager Faye Scher is overseeing a community-wide coat drive to benefit students at Wildwood Elementary School.
The poverty rate at the school is about 90 percent and many of the students don’t have coats, said Scher, of the Village of Gilchrist. She added that some of the students live in trailer homes with no heat and some are sleeping in cars.
Given the cold temperatures Central Florida faced last year, Scher said, it’s important for the children to be prepared before temperatures begin to fall.
Donated coats should be new and must be solid colors – no prints. The coats can be dropped off at:
- 1426 Juarez Place in the Village of Rio Ponderosa (north of County Road 466);
- 3051 Bureau Path in the Village of Gilchrist (near Buena Vista & Pinellas);
- 3106 Merrit Lane in the Village of Fenney (Mockingbird Villas off White Ibis); and
- Hair and Nail Creations, 104 Main St. in Wildwood (U.S. 301 close to Wildwood Cleaners).
Scher said cash donations also are appreciated, as they allow for filling in with missing sizes or winter uniforms, as needed. Checks can be sent to Faye Scher, 3051 Bureau Path, The Villages FL, 32163 or dropped off by Dec 6. There is a box at Scher’s door for the coats.
Those who need more information can email Scher at fscher@aol.com.
