KEEPING WORCESTER WARM

This winter, Fresh Start is keeping Worcester warm through a community outreach program that provides donated coats for locals in need. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester hosts this event, and providing space for the coat drive. Founder of Fresh Start, Derrick Kiser, along with other volunteers, helped out in this event. In partnership with Michael Earielo of Everyday Miracles, another local organization, Fresh Start was able to give back to the community.

Winter in Worcester can be cold and unforgiving. The Keep Worcester Warm event provides outerwear for underprivileged citizens who need extra layers this winter. This project is one that has become a tradition in Worcester with different groups participating. From volunteers to sponsors, this event is truly an act of kindness to help take care of the community.

This year, tables stacked with coats lined the street while people browsed through coats of their choice to find much-needed winter items. Volunteers in matching “keeping Worcester warm” hoodies were happy to assist shoppers.

As people donated used winter items, those in need chose from donated coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, hats and more. This important project is put on by the community and for the community.

“We all know about that saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ says Michael Earielo, “Well, that same concept is true to the community. It takes a community effort to mend and heal the community from all that’s going on.”