Winter Ready Rams seeks items to help Highlands students bundle up

Highlands parent Christina Faltot is kicking off her fourth annual Winter Ready Rams program, saying “no child should go cold, and no parent should have to choose between food and a coat.”

Faltot of Harrison is seeking jackets and hoodies, either new or gently used, through Oct. 30. Items will be distributed to students in kindergarten through high school.

The effort will begin Friday at the home varsity football game against Woodland Hills.

“With rising costs for everything, we know families in our community are struggling,” Faltot said.

The drive to collect warm clothes will expand this year, with the hope of bundling even more students in need. Efforts previously were focused on the middle school but will include all district schools this year.

“We all know that as kids get older, they don’t want to wear a jacket,” said Candice Rae, program volunteer and a Highlands parent. “That’s why we think hoodies can go a long way to help.

“Seeing that there are children who do not have some basic needs met, it’s important to me to be involved.”

Items will be available Nov. 13 in school during parent-teacher conferences. Caregivers will have the opportunity to select coats for their students.

Highlands administrators helped to identify this as a discreet way to get the coats to those who need them.

“Hopefully, this program can continue to help those who truly need a helping hand,” Faltot said. “We’ve already had several families reach out asking if we would have donations available.”

To date, the effort has brought in more than 600 coats, along with other cold-weather gear to help keep children warm.

In years past, volunteers collected coats and sweatshirts at one or two home football games.

“This year, we are hoping to increase awareness of the program by collecting at every home varsity football game in October,” Faltot said.

With the help of the marching band, a donation box will be set up by the concession stand near the California Avenue entrance.

There also are three collection sites throughout the community. Bins are at:

• 200 Banbury Lane, Natrona Heights, which is off Route 908 near Route 28’s Exit 16.

• 233 Chinkapin Drive, Natrona Heights, which is off Oak Manor Drive.

• 1023 Stieren Ave., Brackenridge, near the ATI plant.

Faltot is covering all the bases this year and said if anyone wants to ship donations, they can use the Banbury Lane address.

“This option will give everyone the opportunity to make a difference, even if they can’t get to a dropoff location in October,” she said.