The denim coat caught Trish Barwick's eye as she looked through boxes of coats, blankets and winter clothing outside the Hickory Soup Kitchen on Monday afternoon.
"Hand it over; it's gone" she said as she took the jacket from a volunteer and looked at the leather fringe on the shoulders. "That's me."
Barwick is on disability, having a pace maker and diminished lung capacity. She moved to North Carolina from Florida to get away from the humidity, but is finding all new problems to cope with.
"I'm from Florida and I'm not prepared for this weather," she said of the cold that has hit the area and brought the first snow late Monday. "I'm still learning how to layer up."
The staff of the Lutheran Home was out spreading a little warmth giving out more than 200 coats, donated by staff and the families of residents, as well as blankets and other winter clothing.
Debbie Holman, who created a community service program providing for the homeless and needy on a monthly basis, said the give-away was part of the National Day of Service, called for by the Obama-Biden inaugural committee.
"This makes us realize how lucky we are," said Melissa Eller, of the Lutheran Home, of the monthly program. "It has really touched us. The Lord has blessed us."
The people receiving the items also feel blessed, like the man who made sure to touch Holman's arm, smile and say, "Thank you," many times in his broken English.
"I feel like this is what the Lord wants me to do," Holman said. "And I've been able to incorporate my love for these people through my church and through my job at the Lutheran Home."
Sharon Benfield, of the Lutheran Home, reported the response so great, the group will deliver similar items again Feb. 2.
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