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Father, daughter doing their part to keep others warm
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Published: October 2, 2009
As the temperature starts to dip and winter slowly approaches, a Mooresville father and daughter are doing their part to make sure none of their fellow residents has to endure the cooler weather without proper attire.
Jeff and Taylor Prince will be collecting coats – both new and used – throughout October and November at Jeff's business, Dry Clean Spot on N.C. 150.
Jeff said he thought about the idea last winter, after seeing some kids outside with jackets not warm enough for the season. But it wasn't until one month ago that he approached his 15-year-old daughter with the idea and began to put their project in motion.
Accepting both children and adult coats, Jeff said the donations will be cleaned at his business before being given to the Mooresville Christian Mission and the South Yadkin Baptist Association who will distribute the items among those in need.
While Jeff spreads the word about this coat drive throughout the community, Taylor said she'll be asking friends and fellow students at Lake Norman High School to contribute toward the project.
"Basically, at my high school, a lot of people aren't really involved in stuff like this," she said. "Maybe if one teen can do it, maybe the other ones will follow along."
Taylor, a sophomore at LNHS, said she wanted to help her father with the collection efforts as a way of giving back to the community and extending a helping hand to those less fortunate than herself.
"If all these people don't have what I have, what makes me any better than them?" she said. "I can help them out and give them stuff that I already have."
Jeff echoed his daughter's remarks, saying he was proud of the efforts Taylor is making toward the project.
"We live in a nice neighborhood. We live where a lot of kids have a lot of stuff. Sometimes I think they really lose sight of all the kids out there that don't."
He added, "Just important that my daughter will hopefully be an influence to other teenagers, other boys and girls … To me it just shows that she understands she has a lot. There are, I'm sure, a lot of kids she sees that don't have. It's inspirational that at 15 years old, she understands."
With hopes of making their "Coats for the Needy" project an annual endeavor, Jeff said he would like to see 500 coats donated this year. But more than anything, he said he'd love for this two-person coat drive to create a wave of other contribution efforts throughout town.
"Hopefully, getting the word out, maybe it'll spark other people to do other things. There are so many other needs out there besides coats."
All coat donations can be brought to Dry Clean Spot, 562 River Hwy #1. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday's from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call 704-658-1777.
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