ENGLEWOOD — As the temperatures outside continues to drop, Paul Robeson High School is doing its part to help needy families by sponsoring its first-ever winter coat drive.
The school, 6835 S. Normal Blvd., began collecting the coats for children and adults two weeks ago and will accept them until Friday, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the main office.
A concert featuring local gospel groups and a poetry reading will also be held at Robeson at 5 p.m. Friday. Admission is free but Carter said, "we are asking everyone who comes to please bring a coat to donate."
"It is our goal to collect as many coats as possible," said Isaac Carter, Robeson's athletic director, who is helping organize the drive. "I believe we have about 60 coats now and if we can get 100 more coats donated that would really help out a lot."
Some of the coats will be distributed to elementary students at Parker Community Academy, 6800 S. Stewart Ave., from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, he said. Some Robeson athletes will help with the distribution.
The remaining coats will be distributed from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday at Robeson. The coats will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis, he said.
Bob Israel, a Robeson alumnus, is also collecting coats for the school's drive from his Save Our Community Coalition group.
"I have always believed in helping my community grow. It is a duty everyone should adopt," Israel said. "If we do not help our own people prosper, then who will?"
