This year, Highlands ARH employees provided approximately 150 coats to local children. In years past, as many as 250 new coats have been collected but Mosley said the list was shorter this year. While the list was shorter, the need was greater for adult sized coats as more middle and high school students were on the list than usual.

When asked why he continues to lead this project year after year, Mosley says, “Honestly, I’m inspired to continue because I’ve been on the receiving end of this as a child. I know the struggles of growing up in poverty and having parents that may not have made the best choices. Everyone deserves the warmth and comfort of a coat, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.”

Mosley and volunteers collect and sort the coats by school. Lists are double and triple checked. Once he is satisfied that everything is correct, Mosley contacts the Family Resource Coordinators for pickups and drop-offs.

Mosley says he wants people to remember that there are children in need and it is those children that this project strives to help by providing warmth. He says, “Coats are a basic human necessity. It’s our job to protect those who are most vulnerable among us and children can’t help the situations they are in. Children of all ages deserve every opportunity afforded to them regardless of socioeconomic class. We have a duty to help those who aren’t yet able to help themselves.”