December got a little warmer recently when Herkimer Elementary School received a donation from Steet Ponte Auto Group & United Auto Sales of Utica of more than 30 winter coats.
The “Coats for Kids” coat drive collected donations of new coats to benefit prekindergarten through sixth-grade students in area schools, including HES.
According to social worker Kathy Orts, the coats are a welcome gift to the school community. While most of the coats will stay at HES, she said there may be some in larger sizes that can be shared with students at the Jr./Sr. High School.
“It relieves families from one less thing they will need to worry about at this time of year,” Orts explained, adding, “It’s about our entire school community.
Orts said the donation from Steet Ponte will help teachers provide for their students’ needs. Teachers who see that a student could use a new coat can bring their student to Orts’ office to select one that will fit.
“And for children,” Orts said, “It’s caring — it shows them that someone cares about them and their needs.”
Orts added that parents and families can contact the school at any time if there are needs that the school might be able to help with.