Darlington County Parks, Recreation and Tourism donates 200 coats to Darlington County students
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Hundreds of Darlington County School District students will be warmer this winter after the Darlington County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department (DCPRT) donated new and used coats.
The donation came about through a community effort, according to Brantley Jett, the Darlington Area Athletic Director for DCPRT. Jett said he noticed some students waiting for buses in the morning without coats.
“After we saw that, we threw it together,” he said. “We did not expect to get this many. I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped make this possible and helped the kids out.”
Lee Andrews, the Parks and Recreation Tourism Director, helped spread the word amongst city and county employees that the department was collecting coats for students. McLeod Health also donated coats. White Swan Cleaners in Darlington then dry-cleaned the 200 coats free of charge.
Jett, along with Crystal Gibson, the Darlington Area Program Director, and John Wall, the Hartsville Area Director, delivered the coats via bus and van to the DCSD Administrative Offices on Jan. 9.
School administrators, social workers and others will help distribute to coats to students who will most benefit.