DETROIT – It was a steady stream of cars through the parking lot of the Kadesh Baptist Church on Wednesday. It was a testament to what happens when a community decides to come together.
The event was part of “Operation: Cozy,” which is Local 4’s November Go 4 It event in partnership with the Center for Youth & Families.
“This has made my heart feel warm today,” Elizabeth Richardson, the organization’s COO said. “We’re able to help children, help families, and even if they’re not mine, I take personal responsibility for making sure that we take care of our village.”
It started early this morning and just began piling in throughout the day
Coats. Hats. Gloves. Jackets. Pants.
Some of them are fresh from the store. Some of them are hand-me-downs.
Some of them hand made. All of them going to help people stay warm this winter from the Center for Youth & Families in Detroit.
“I grew up in the city of Detroit in some of the same zip codes that we serve,” Richardson said. “To see that God has been able to bring me back into the community, to help the students and the kids that I was where I once lived, it does something for me.”
Last year, they collected more than 1,800 articles of clothing. That number had been more than tripled by Wednesday evening. Among the donations, was a particularly special one from Debbie from Dearborn.
She arrived around 11 a.m. with four bags full of 77 scarves and hats that she crocheted herself in the last year. She said that she simply wanted to help.
“It’s heartwarming knowing that 77 people will be warmer because of what I’ve given, it’s nice”, she said.
Sitting nearby was Jeri Fisher, the Center for Youth and Families’ CEO, who at times struggled to keep it together watching so many people come through.
“I cried when I saw those scarves, because I know how much time and effort and love that takes to do that do,” Fisher said. “My heart’s just full. You know, I can’t explain just the joy and the fulfillment of seeing the community do all of this.”
She says events like this will benefit so many kids who have had to brave the cold Detroit winters, often with just a hoodie and maybe a hat or gloves.
“This is what you hold on to, you know, during the tough times that all of these people you know, believed in us, believed in WDIV and believed in doing, you know, these coats and jackets.”
Along with the physical donations, you can also make monetary donations here.
If you’re wondering when all of this stuff will start going out to the people, they are planning a distribution event for the week of Thanksgiving.