You don’t have to be a fan of Game of Thrones to know that winter is coming. It’s in the air, fogging up the window panes and biting at noses and hands. And that means coats and warm accessories are needed in the community. Mast Store is ready to Share the Warmth in all its communities by holding a coat collection now through November 30. 

This year’s drive marks the start of our 14^th annual Share the Warmth campaign for which we are collecting coats, jackets, and fleeces to provide warmth for members our communities. Sharing in this important mission is our partner Columbia Sportswear. They make a donation of their own, including new coats and jackets to be distributed equally among Mast Stores.

Each Mast Store is accepting donations of clean, gently used items such as fleeces, coats, jackets, sweaters, and other appropriate outerwear—gloves, hats, scarves, blankets, etc. These donations will likewise be shared among the communities via our local partners. While we are most mindful of the need for warmth in this season, many of our stores offer donations boxes year-round--items are often accepted for animals in need as well. Some items we receive will be donated to the places they will do the most good, such as the animal shelters and humane societies.

Please look through your closets to see if you have any coats, jackets, and other appropriate outerwear that would find a greater purpose in a new home. In most of our communities, there is a greater need for children’s coats and coats in larger sizes – XXL and larger.

This year’s donations are being shared with many organizations that are devoted to doing good in our communities, including

• Original Mast Store and Annex and the Mast Store in Boone - The new outerwear from Columbia is going to students in the Watauga County School System. Donations will go to the Hospitality House.

• In Waynesville, donations and the new coats from Columbia will go to students in the Haywood County School System.

• In Hendersonville, donations will go to the Interfaith Assistance Ministry. The new outerwear from Columbia is going to the Bounty of Bethlehem organization.

• In Asheville, donations and the new coats from Columbia will go to the Hillcrest Family Resource Center.

• In Greenville, donations will go to Miracle Hill Ministries. The new outerwear from Columbia is going to participants at the Frazee Dream Center.

• In Knoxville, donations and the new coats from Columbia will go to the Ladies of Charity.

• In Columbia, donations will go to Transitions Homeless Center. The new outerwear from Columbia is going to Epworth Children’s Home (youth sizes) and Transitions Homeless Center (adult sizes).

• In Winston-Salem, donations as well as new coats will go to Crossnore School. 

We are so grateful to Columbia for helping us to help others and also to our customers for making our coat drive so successful each year. If you need to purchase a coat, please consider a Columbia product.  And if you are not near one of our stores but want to Share the Warmth, donate locally wherever you are. You’ll be warmed in doing so. Let’s spread this message of giving and Share the Warmth this season with gratitude and generosity!