Winter Coats and Clothing Donated to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Annual Winter Coat Drive
[Auburn] — Families in need across Worcester County are warmer this holiday season thanks to a successful winter coat and clothing drive organized by Eversource Gas Operations Field Supervisor Michael St. Pierre at the Auburn work center on Westec Drive.
On his own accord, Mike launched the coat drive among employees at the Auburn center as a way to give back to the communities that Eversource serves.
“Growing up as one of six children, my parents faced difficult decisions regarding essential needs like utilities, groceries, or clothing,” commented Michael St. Pierre. “These personal experiences drive my commitment to assisting those less fortunate.”
Under Mike’s leadership, employees collected a wide variety of winter essentials, including:
- 71 winter coats
- 35 pairs of warm socks
- 30 pairs of gloves
- 22 winter hats
- 7 pairs of ski pants
- 6 pairs of children’s boots
- 3 scarves
A longtime supporter of local law enforcement, Mike noted that he was aware of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Annual Winter Coat Drive and felt that partnering with the Sheriff’s Office was the natural choice. The Sheriff’s Office’s existing distribution network ensures that donated items reach families who need them most.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association Annual Winter Coat Drive raises funds to purchase and then distribute roughly 4,000 winter coats each year to individuals in need across the county.
“Our distribution locations include women’s shelters, veteran organizations, senior centers, religious institutions, schools, and more,” explained Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “We’ve been doing the coat drive for well over a decade, but we were impressed by what Mike and his colleagues were able to pull off. This is what the holiday season is all about.”
The Sheriff emphasized that the impact of the coat drive extends beyond physical warmth.
“For us as a law enforcement agency, the coat drive creates a meaningful opportunity to build trust and bridge gaps between the community and law enforcement,” Sheriff Evangelidis added.
“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Eversource and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to support individuals facing hardship during this challenging time,” commented Mike St. Pierre. “This initiative has been among the most satisfying experiences of my career.”
On December 3, Sheriff Evangelidis and members of his team visited the Auburn work center to collect the donations and personally thank Eversource employees for their efforts.
The donated items from the Auburn center will be distributed through the Fitchburg Community Support Center, one of three centers operated by the Sheriff’s Office that assist individuals reentering society after incarceration, and generally support the greater community.
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Sheriff Evangelidis takes a photo with the Eversource Auburn Center team in front of the racks of donated coats and clothing.
