Coats for "Solid Ground" (by Dennis Erno)

• Many of the families living in transitional housing at Solid Ground will be prepared for the harsh winter months ahead thanks the financial contributions and donations of winter wear by the members of our Rotary club.
• Your donations of more than 42 mostly new boys and girls winter coats plus 37 high quality women coats helped made this possible.  In addition, you contributed  $904 for the purchase of hard to find sizes and younger children coats.  Accompanying those donations were an abundance of winter hats, hand knit scarves, snow pants and gloves given by you.
• Our contributions were even more impressive when combined with the donations of our partners in the winter coat drive, Incarnation Lutheran Church.  When combined with the donations of the congregation at Incarnation, a grand total of 270 winter coats and slightly over $2,000 was sent Solid Ground’s way to help cloth the residences for the upcoming cold winter months.
• The winter coats that were provided through this partnership permitted the outfitting of winter wear for 82 adults and 141 children.  It also brought smiles of joy to the faces of many children who felt the pride of owning a new or nearly new winter coat for the first time in life.
• Our Club’s contribution of the winter coat drive did not go unnoticed by the congregation of Incarnation Lutheran Church.  Here is what appeared in the Church’s November newsletter:
• The Rotary Club of Arden Hills - Shoreview has partnered with us in the Solid Ground Coat Drive again this year. We had a fun Monday evening when members of the Rotary, several of whom are Incarnation members, brought many new and used coats and outerwear to donate. Their organization is a welcome partner.
• Our partnership with Incarnation has enabled both of us to multiple our efforts to improve the lives of those struggling to escape poverty.  It demonstrates once again that the sum is truly greater than the parts.
• Solid Ground is an award winning nonprofit organization whose proven, holistic approach helps families build the strong foundations they need to emerge from homelessness into a brighter future.
• Through safe, affordable housing and innovative supportive programming, Solid Ground helps families transition to a higher-level of self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the next generation.