by Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

 

For the first time ever, a blanket and coat drive is being held specifically for residents of the Sunny View Community.

The drive, called “Warming the View,” will be Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at McGuinn’s Store in Sunny View.

The “Warming the View” campaign is a grassroots effort from a group of community members wanting to help its own community stay warm this winter.

“Sunny View is one of the most beautiful parts of Polk County and we are proud to live here,” said one of the organizers, Dee O’Brien. “We are helping our neighbors keep warm this holiday season by collecting gently used/new coats and blankets.”

O’Brien said the effort began as a simple heartfelt desire to help those living close, for their neighbors to stay warm this winter, and the result has been an overwhelming community effort.

Saturday’s event will include Polk County High School students volunteering from Jenny Wolfe’s Civics class. Students will be distributing free hot dogs, donated by McGuinn’s Store, as well as helping to distribute coats and blankets to anyone in need.

Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill is joining the effort along with several of his Santa’s helpers. McGuinn’s Store has also received word from the North Pole that Santa, Mrs. Claus and a couple of elves will be stopping by as well, O’Brien said.

“Warming the View” has already received several donations, including from Pure Country Weavers, which donated new blankets as well as other donations from local and distant neighbors.

Area residents are urged to attend “Warming the View” on Saturday with donations of gently used/new coats and blankets to help Sunny View neighbors stay warm this winter.

“Feeling warm from the generosity of others,” said O’Brien; “now that, my friends, is truly a ‘coat’ you can carry with you for the rest of your life. We live in a most amazing place.”