For the Reporter

A City of Auburn-sponsored two-week winter coat drive – in partnership with Price-Helton and Powers funeral homes – collected 155 much-needed coats, two bags of clothes and two bags of shoes for families and residents in Auburn and South King County.

Organizers distributed 18 coats to the Genesis Project, 55 coats to the Auburn Food Bank and 22 coats to Communities In Schools – Auburn. The rest of the donations will be given to the Tacoma Rescue Mission via Powers Funeral Home.

“We are so encouraged by the involvement from so many people that we have decided to make this an annual event,” wrote Charissa Soltz, administrative assistant for Price-Helton Funeral Home. “Thank you to the City of Auburn for putting the word out further into the community, and thank you to each individual who stopped by with arm loads of jackets and clothing. We are proud to call Auburn our hometown.”