<strong>From staff reports</strong>

FWDG’s 30th annual winter coat drive closed on Dec. 31, 2020, with a collection amount of 997, bringing the running total of collected warm winter garments over 30 years to more than 45,700.

The event collects winter coats for children and adults throughout Beaufort County. The coats, sweaters, blankets, hats, and other warm apparel items are distributed to neighbors in need through two local partner non-profit organizations – Help of Beaufort and The Deep Well Project of Hilton Head Island.

FWDG organizes all aspects of this event: promotion, collection, temporary storage, and transportation of the new coats. FWDG staff across the company rally to raise awareness of the project.

“This year was beyond surprising in the number of really nice coats we received,” FWDG Founder and President Larry Mark said in a release. “You would think with all going on in people’s lives, that donations might have suffered. In fact, we received more this year than in the past several years.”

“We could never have guessed 30 years ago when my wife, Robyn, suggested the coat drive that one small idea could make such a difference,” Mark continued. “We are so grateful to the wonderful people of Beaufort County for the outpouring of love … and coats!”

Founded in 1972 by Larry Mark and his father Ernest, FWDG sells furniture, area rugs and mattresses throughout Beaufort County