The person who has two coats must share

Yesterday I took part in a coat giveaway in Windham County, run by the local K of C councils.

I know most people outside of Connecticut think of the state as the land of the rich, but in reality, it would be better to describe it as the land of the haves and the have nots.

Yes, Fairfield County in southwest Connecticut has some of the richest people in the country (the town of New Cannon has a per cap income of nearly $106.000), but Windham County in northeast Connecticut has some of the poorest (the town of Windham has a per cap income of $20,000.)

In one part of the state, sailboats line up at the marinas while in another, people line up for the bus.

We gave away nearly 800 coats, hundreds of blankets, baby clothing, hats and gloves.  Most had been donated at area churches. As the coordinator said, “A coat on someone’s back is better than a coat in someone’s closet.”

A few hundred were new coats, purchased by the Knights, so that there would be a variety of sizes.

People came from as far as 30 miles, and these are people often without their own transportation.  Many happy people left the building. Some disappointed left too, because they could not find the size to fit themselves or their child.

One young lady was almost in tears.  She had come all the way from Norwich, hoping to find warm clothing for her 18 month old.  By the time she got into the building, our limited supply of that size was gone.

As she picked through the small pile of clothing that might fit, in search of a coat, another lady entered the building, 2 small coats in hand.  She had heard of the drive and wanted to drop off a few coats that no longer fit in her home.  They were in great shape and the first lady left with one to keep her baby warm.

It was good to do something that benefitted so many people, it was sad that there is such a need to do it.

Lukes writes, “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Caesar Tiberius.......a message from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.....

The crowds kept asking him, “What, then, should we do?”

He answered them, “The person who has two coats must share with the one who doesn’t have any, and the person who has food must do the same.”

We live in a country that is divided on so many issues, and along racial, political, economic and religious lines.  “Hate talk” is prevalent, especially on social media. 

Yesterday was a reminder of that.
There are so many in need while so many live such a comfortable life.  

But yesterday was also a reminder of the good in people, at least some people.

Perhaps it is not too late for us to remember what John said about sharing our coats.