Insurance Service of Asheville holds 7th annual community blanket and winter coats drive

 

Insurance Service of Asheville, Inc. is holding its 7^th annual “Toasty” drive on Thursday, November 17, 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m, to help keep Asheville warm this winter, collecting blankets plus winter wearables such as coats, hats, scarves and gloves.

The locally owned and independent insurance agency, in partnership with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry and radio station 98.1FM The River, is holding the drive in the parking lot of its offices at Executive Park at the corner of College and Charlotte streets to collect new and clean, gently used blankets and warm clothing for ABCCM’s Crisis Ministry. The public is encouraged to stop by the drive, drop off a donation of one or more blankets or winter wearables, and enjoy coffee, donuts, and home-baked breakfast treats from the ISA staff. Staff from ABCCM, Insurance Service of Asheville, and 98.1FM The River’s live remote team will be on hand for the blanket drive.

Last season’s “Toasty” drive filled ABCCM’s donation truck with blankets, coats, hats and more — this year ISA hopes the drive will net even more to help the Crisis Ministry.

According to ABCCM Executive Director Scott Rogers, "We love that Insurance Service of Asheville is wrapping its arms around one of the biggest needs in Asheville, which is to provide a blanket, coats, hats and gloves for every needy woman, man, child and family. We thank God for everyone who will help ISA collect blankets, warming the hearts of those that give as well as the hearts of our neighbors in need. We are grateful for all the other businesses and friends of ISA who join them in making our city one of the toastiest in the mountains."

Insurance Service of Asheville President Jim Stickney notes, “Our company’s annual ‘Toasty’ drive is a way for us to meet a tangible need in our community as colder weather moves in. Because we provide coverage for people and businesses in Asheville through our insurance work, the annual ‘Toasty’ drive is a natural fit. We invite the community to join us in assisting ABCCM with these basic necessities.”

Insurance Service of Asheville is Asheville’s largest, locally owned, independent insurance agency. Since 1958 ISA has provided insurance and benefits for people, businesses, organizations and institutions through a comprehensive offering of insurance lines and life, health and employee benefit plans.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) is one of the key non-profit organizations addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness and access to health care for the under-served in Buncombe County, serving each year around 50,000 individuals. Begun as a small collaboration of churches in 1969, ABCCM has played a significant role in meeting emergency assistance needs for families in crisis, coordinating religious services and education activities at the jail, providing transitional and permanent supportive housing of the homeless through 300 beds, increasing access to health care for half the uninsured and medically underserved; as well as work readiness, mentoring and job placement services. We serve veterans across 26 WNC counties.  ABCCM is generously supported by 279 congregations of all denominations and faith groups and more than 5,000 trained volunteers and provides emergency assistance to anyone in need regardless of age, sex, religion or ethnic background.

For more information about Insurance Service of Asheville’s “Toasty” blanket and winter wearables drive, visit www.isa-avl.com.