Share the warmth in Asheville this winter

While the economy is in recovery, many of our neighbors are still finding it hard to make ends meet. Winter is on the horizon, and there is still a need to share the warmth to help others fend off the cold. The Mast General Store is hosting its eighth annual Share the Warmth coat, sweater and blanket collection campaign from now until November 30th.

As we scurry about enjoying the cool days of fall, we all know that colder temperatures are on the way, and many of us are ready to face whatever weather the coming season has to offer. Unfortunately, there are some in our communities who aren’t as prepared.

The Mast General Store, along with Columbia Sportswear, invites you to share the warmth in your community by "sharing" your clean, gently-worn coats, jackets, sweaters, gloves, hats, and even blankets so others can be warm this winter. You can drop off your items at Mast General Store in Downtown Asheville, and they will be given to the Helpmate.

“It was important to us that our community partner have direct access to those in need,” said Fred Martin, president of the Mast Store. “Our employees, our customers, and Columbia Sportswear are all eager to help our neighbors, so we want to ensure that these coats, jackets, sweaters and blankets will go to individuals who can use them.” 

For over thirty years, Helpmate has served as Buncombe County's primary provider of crisis-level services designed specifically for - and offered exclusively to - victims of domestic violence and their children. More than just a “safe house” for abuse, Helpmate's emergency shelter offers around the clock case management, basic needs support, and counseling from a caring staff. Helpmate also offers a 24-hour hotline, individual and group counseling, court advocacy programs, and preventative education for professionals, community leaders, and groups considered at risk of being abused.

This is the eighth year the Mast Store has undertaken this project to help provide coats for those in need in their home communities, and it’s the sixth time that Columbia has generously offered their own coat donation, which will be divided across all Mast Store communities.. “Our customers are always so helpful when we identify a need. We all have jackets and coats hanging in our closets or in storage that can be put to better use,” said Martin. “If you can help, please drop off your clean coats, jackets and blankets by November 30th.”

For more information about Share the Warmth, visit MastStore.com, and to find out how you can help those in need in your community even more, visit www.helpmateonline.org.