Within the line of sight to Reston Town Center's luxury condos, families and individuals in need line up for free winter wear at the North County Government Center. Photo by Mercia Hobson.
From left, volunteers Emily Cook, 16, Charlotte Cook, 13, Caitlin Cook, all of Burke, and Lilla Helgason, 14, of Centreville, ready the restock coat piles for transfer to the shopping racks.By Mercia Hobson
The combination of a warm winter coat, hat, and gloves is a defense against the cold for anyone out in frigid weather. Whether they are a child waiting for the school bus in the morning, a senior citizen crossing a parking lot, or someone experiencing homelessness, everyone deserves to be warm. Partnering with the Hunter Mill District Supervisor's Office, nonprofit Cornerstones supported the Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet for 2023.
”More than 1,000 coats were given to area residents and families today who needed a warm coat as the winter season approaches,” said Fairfax County Board Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill).
Held indoors this year at the North County Government Center in Reston on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., county staff welcomed the participants into the stocked winter wear room in timed groups to avoid overcrowding. Families and individuals selected their choices from the racks of winter coats, all gently used or new and sorted by size and sex.
The assortment appeared astonishing: belted long coats, wool coats, and anoraks, as well as insulated puffer jackets with faux-fur-lined hoods, toasty parkas, and more. Each would put severe weather in its place, wrapping the wearer in warmth. Hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves covered the nearby tables. As supplies ran low on given-size racks and tables, volunteers rushed to replenish them with what appeared to be an infinite supply.
According to Jillian Smith, Community Programs for Supervisor Walter Alcorn, the distribution of winter wear at the event required six staff members and approximately 50 volunteers working in two shifts. Other volunteers, such as those from corporate sponsors like Navy Federal Credit Union, had previously arrived at Cornerstones headquarters to assist with the massive sorting demands to ensure a smooth distribution day.
Holiday Gift Card Drive Underway
Cornerstones seeks to provide gift cards to the parents of nearly 1,500 local children in 2023. This will allow them to buy what their children want and need for the holidays. Gift cards will also be collected for adults and children staying at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter over the holidays.
Go to www.cornerstonesva.org/donations/drives/gift-cards-for-kids/ to learn more about the program. Gift card donations will be collected at Cornerstones’ Main Office, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, on Thursday, Dec. 7, and Friday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m.– noon.