AARP Jackson hosts ‘Coats of Kindness’ to help keep elderly residents warm

JACKSON, Tenn. — Members of one organization gathered for their regular meeting Wednesday morning.

However, this time, they brought something with them to give back to the community.

Chapter 2174 is the local Jackson branch of the AARP. Wednesday, they held their regular meeting, but with an extra reason behind it.

They asked their members to bring coats to be donated to the elderly. Vanada Reaves, the chapter president, tells us why.

“So what we’re trying to do is give them something, because they do go out for doctor’s visits, dental, etc. We want them to go out appropriately dressed. A lot of them have lost their loved ones. Their spouse, or grandchildren who really supported them,” said Reaves.

This is their first year doing this coat drive. Reaves tells us how the idea came up.

“To be able to serve the community. Because, again, the elderly need our help. And also, being an rn, we understand that once a person begins to get older the blood starts to thin and they get cold,” said Reaves.

Reaves says it was a great turnout with many donations.

“We are going to have our regular meeting. We asked them to bring coats. Believe it or not, a lot of individuals brought two or three coats that are gently worn that they are no longer using. We appreciate that,” said Reaves.

The coats are bring donated to cades center assisted living right here in Jackson.

According to AARP. There are around 5.8 million elderly individuals living under the poverty line.

For more news in the Jackson area, click here.