Designed as an outreach project to assist those in need of warm coats for the winter months, East Calhoun Church has been giving away free coats for 5 years and this year was no exception.
Between 20-25 people were admitted at a time into the park to keep people from bumping into one another, explained Reid, however anyone who needed a winter coat was welcome to partake.
Shacola Pinson, accompanied by her twin, three-year old boys, Kaven and Gaven, says this was her first year and said she heard about the program from her cousin.
“It’s a blessing,” said Pinson. “We came because my boys needed coats.”
The idea came about from a friend of the director of the church’s men’s ministry, Ron Eitutis, who explains the idea was “put on his friends heart by God,” and each year, there a larger number of coats are donated to the event.
One woman, Eitutis explained, drove from Kennesaw and delivered 15 brand new coats to contribute the annual event, Friday night.
The local park played host to 30 volunteers to help the large crowd choose and try on winter coats, as well as serve 500 hotdogs, other food and drinks also provided by the church.
In addition to the annual Coats in the Park event, East Calhoun Church donates more than $30,000 each year to feeding the hungry and helping the needy, according to Reid who says while ministering to those they serve, they also encourage job and GED attainment.
The church’s next big event is the Thanksgiving Day meal they have provided for the local needy people in the community for the past 16 years.
For more information on how you can donate to the Coats in the Park event for next year, or to check out how to get involved in lending a helping hand, visit their website at www.calhounchurch.com or call the church at 706-629-0949. The church is located at 401 Peters St. in Calhoun.
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