buildOn Students Organize 5th Annual Coat Drive in Norwalk, Conn.

Our buildOn team in Norwalk, Conn. successfully pulled off its fifth annual Coat Drive and Giveaway. Over 150 people received a free coat on Saturday morning.

The service project is a collaboration with Christian Community Action (CCA), an organization that provides resources to low-income people in Southern Connecticut. It began when a buildOn employee approached CCA about potential projects, and the director responded by saying buildOn volunteers could help give away the coats they collected. So, every year buildOn sorts the coats and then passes them out at the South Norwalk Police Station.

Here’s what our students said about the project:

“At first it was if there were so many people that the room would be completely full all of the time, but then the coats started to become smaller piles every time people came in, and it was actually great to know that at least some people were able to have a warm thing.” – Maria Renee Alegria, Brien McMahon High School sophomore

“I like how many people were helping each other find their sizes and how they appreciated their help.” – David Langrin, Norwalk High School sophomore.

“There so many reasons why I am a part of buildOn, but I guess it all comes down to this feeling: like I’m making a difference in a million small ways, like giving someone else a coat.” – Winchelle Jean-Pierre, Brien McMahon High School senior.