A chance conversation between Tina Samson, left, and Capt. Katherine Corno led to some 200 or more coats being delivered to City Hall on Tuesday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Veterans Services Office on Tuesday took delivery of nearly 30 bags fillled with warm coats for local veterans.
The donation came courtesy of the Salvation Army and was prompted by a chance meeting between office assistant Tina Samson and Capt. Katherine Corno of the local Salvation Army post.
"We just walked into each other, it was out of the blue," said Samson, who was on Main Street in mid-November drumming up donations for gift certificates and socks for veterans. "I had a box in my hand and she walked out of the bank and we just started talking."
"She was talking about socks and talking about coats and I said let me see what can be done," said Corno, who contacted her superiors in Canton to tell them the veterans office wanted to do a coat drive. "They said, 'sure, let's see what we can do.'"
They did a lot. A few days later came the phone call: "Come get your coats."
Corno drove to Athol and returned with a van stuffed full of coats that are now piled in the Law Library at City Hall.
Veterans Agent Stephen Roy joked there is at least 1,000 pounds of winter clothing.
"The tires were almost flat from the weight," he said. "Talk about a gift that really makes a difference, this is a durable thing that someone can keep with them for years."
The collection that was transported across the state was an example of what happens when a need is communicated in this community.
"You have to toot your horn," said Corno, so people know there's a need. Despite the poverty in the area, said Samson, "This community is really giving."
Samson has bags of other goods donated by local vendors, pointing particularly to Walmart for providing aid and to Olympia Sports for donating sample sweat shirts and sneakers, as well as donated gift certificates from local stores and restaurants to give out to veterans this year. The sock drive, however, didn't go as well as the coat drive.
"The sock drive is not as good as last year but we did get a big tote full," she said. "I ask the guys what do you need, and they always say winter socks ... these guys can't afford the socks."
Veterans coming to pick up their checks on Dec. 15 will get those gifts and be able to pick out a coat for themselves and for their spouse or children, if needed. The veterans office serves about 140 to 180 veterans in the communities of Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams, Savoy and Williamstown.
Corno said any coats left over should go to whoever or whatever agency can use them.
"We service the same towns, the same locations, the same demographics," she said. "It's winter, everyone needs a coat."
"We just try to spread the wealth to the community because I like to give back," said Samson. "What goes round comes round, karma's a big thing ... and I always want good karma."
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