Winter coat giveaway scheduled at New Stanton fire hall

Linda Hauger has a knack for giving back.

The New Stanton resident for months has been filling an Angel Blessing Box with food and is planning a winter coat giveaway for those in need.

“We’ll set up in the fire station, and people can come and get what they need,” said Hauger, whose husband, David, is president of the New Stanton Volunteer Fire Department.

The event is scheduled for Saturday at the fire department. Hauger has collected 50 slightly used and new coats and a variety of hats, mittens, gloves, hoodies and more for children and adults.

Hauger said she came up with the idea after spearheading an Angel Blessing Box outside of the fire station. The red and white house-shaped box adorned with the quote “Take what you need, give what you can. Above all be blessed,” acts as a place where those in need can find canned foods and other items when necessary.

“It’s gone very well. I’m very happy with it,” Hauger said. “Then I decided, ‘That didn’t fail; maybe I should go ahead and try the coat drive.’ So that’s what I did.”

Hauger hosted two collection events ahead of Saturday’s giveaway. Items will be set up inside the firehall. People can come and go as necessary and pick up whatever they need.

Hauger, who is hosting the coat giveaway for the first time, said she is not sure how many people will show up. If items remain, Hauger plans to donate them to Gateway Rehabilitation Center at Excela Health Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant.

“The majority of people that go there only have the clothes on their backs,” Hauger said. “If I have leftover stuff, that’s what I’m going to do with it.”

Saturday’s event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the firehall, 108 S. Main St.