New Stanton resident collects winter clothing, essential items for community members in need

Three years after launching a winter clothing drive for New Stanton area residents, Linda Hauger’s goal remains the same — keep at least one family warm through the chilly months.

Hauger’s first drive collected about 50 gently used and new coats and an assortment of hats, mittens, gloves and sweatshirts.

Approaching its fourth year, the initiative has expanded. Hauger collected more than 300 winter clothing items last fall.

“We had more people last year … than ever,” said Hauger, of New Stanton. “It just makes you feel good.”

For Hauger, this is only the beginning.

“We were poor growing up because we lost my dad, and we wore bread bags for boots. One of us might not have had a winter coat, and we’d pile on sweaters…

“If I could just help some kids not go through that, that’s my goal,” she said. “I’m doing God’s work — that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Hauger, her husband, David, and their crew of about 10 volunteers will collect gently used and new coats, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, ear muffs, scarfs and other winter clothing items of all sizes at the New Stanton Volunteer Fire Department on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.

“We can always use more children’s (coats),” said David Hauger, president of the fire department.

Hauger has already collected five new coats and several bags of used coats from early donors.

The fire department will open its doors Nov. 9 for residents to come in and pick out whichever items they need, free of charge.

Any remaining garments are donated to local veterans. But Hauger doesn’t anticipate having many leftovers this year.

“Last year, we pretty much gave it all away,” she said.

Clothing drive supports local school

She also accepts monetary donations to buy new coats for students at Hempfield Area’s Stanwood Elementary’s Caring Closet.

The closet — organized by the school counselor and parents — collects a variety of gently used clothing and shoes for students, said Principal Lauren Bruener.

Though items such as coats, leggings, sweatpants, tennis shoes, socks and underwear are often most needed, the school has accepted oddball items such as soccer cleats and Halloween costumes, Bruener said.

The closet supports student who need a change of clothes after something like a milk spill in the cafeteria, Bruener said, but it also helps students and families facing financial difficulties or loss of possessions in a house fire.

Teachers inform Bruener or the school counselor if they notice a student may have a need, like a child coming off the bus with no coat on a cold, winter day.

“The New Stanton (Fire Department) has been fantastic with us over the last few years in providing those coats to us,” Bruener said.

“It’s such an important thing for a child to have things like a warm winter jacket — and for our families to know that maybe they’re struggling right now, but there’s support here to help kiddos access those items that are maybe a little bit harder to come by.”

Organizer seeks donations

With permission of donors, Hauger also used monetary donations to support the Blessing Box, an initiative she launched around 2021.

Located outside of the fire hall, the Blessing Box contains nonperishable food, hygiene products and other essential items that community members can take at no cost.

“Right now, I’m missing everything,” Hauger said, referencing the box’s nearly empty shelves.

Graham crackers, bags of chips, Spaghetti-O’s, fruit cups, bars of soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste always go quickly, Hauger said. Items in glass containers will not be accepted during the winter months.

“I’ve had people tell me it’s really nice,” she said. “If it wasn’t for that box, they wouldn’t have made it to the end of the month.”

Hauger started the Blessing Box and the winter clothing drive to help her New Stanton neighbors in the aftermath of the covid pandemic.

Advice she received from her niece gives her inspiration to continue the initiatives.

“Caring is sharing, my little niece told me,” Hauger said.