There’s a decided chill to the temperatures, so Winter is just around the corner. Mast Store is helping Share the Warmth in all its communities by holding a coat collection now through November 30. Columbia Sportswear, Mast Store’s vendor partner, is making a donation of new coats, jackets, and fleeces to keep the chill away, too.

The Share the Warmth coat collection is in its 13th year, and Columbia is supporting the efforts for the ninth year.

“We want to help as many people as we possibly can,” said Lisa Cooper, president of Mast Store. “With Columbia’s assistance and the contributions from others in our community, we help more than we could by ourselves.”

"With Columbia’s assistance and the contributions from others in our community, we help more than we could by ourselves."- Lisa Cooper, president

Donations made at any Mast Store will go to schools, shelters, or non-profit organizations that work directly with the individuals in need.

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

• 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 Family Resource Center at Hillcrest.

• 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 (adult sizes).

• In Winston-Salem, donations will go to Crossnore School. The new outerwear from Columbia, along with some donations, is going to the Adopt-a-Family program through the Department of Social Services.

Donations should be clean and gently used, so they are ready for the recipient. Blankets, gloves, hats, and heavy sweaters are also accepted. If you are looking to replace a coat that you are donating, we hope you’ll consider a purchase from Columbia.

If you aren't near a Mast Store, but have perused your closet to find a winter coat that needs a new home, please consider Sharing the Warmth near your home. The need is great, and it will warm your heart, too.