Coat and Blanket Drive

Before the fall and winter months arrive, a Zanesville business will host a coat and blanket drive.

The drive at Stratos Wealth Partners begins Tuesday September 1 and will go through October 1. Partner and wealth advisors Chad Tom and Wayne Wycoff ask for gently used coats, blankets and hats. All donated items will go straight to Eastside Community Ministry.

“I see the need in the community,” Tom said. “I drive by Eastside everyday on my way home and on my way to work, and I see what they’re doing. I know the need. We’re at this time of year where people are going through their closets, those who are able to get new coats for their kids are getting new coats, and instead of just throwing the old ones out, there’s opportunity to give back.”

Eastside’s executive director Jamie Trout said the drive is an opportunity to help those in need.

“It’s a huge need. We serve all of the homeless,” Trout said. “We also help out different people who have been victims of fires, women that are in domestic violence situations that just up and leave, they have nothing with them but the clothes on their back and their children, so they need all those things as well to start over.”

Trout said around 75 people visit Eastside’s clothing bank each week and that the donations are a necessity to continue the ministry’s mission.

Stratos Wealth Partners is located at 3596 Maple Ave., Suite A.