The coat drive is part of the Raise Craze fundraiser by the Garrison Mill Education Foundation (GMEF).

GMEF is a parent-led, nonprofit that creates real-world student experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts and math – an integrated approach to view the world known as STEAM.

While the fundraiser allows GMEF to do things like buy new musical instruments, provide robots, maintain the Learning Garden, support Publix Math Night, the main currency is kindness.

Raise Craze rewards Greyhounds for acts of kindness throughout the week with the hope that the lessons will remain with them for a lifetime.

Coat Notes: Warmth Beyond the Garment

Examples of kindness are the “Coat Notes” that students are writing. The notes will be placed in the pockets of the donated winter wear so that recipients will feel warmth beyond the garment.

 A coat note written by a kind Greyhound student.

“I hope you love this new coat. It will keep and cozy,” read one coat note, decorated by a crayon-colored rainbow and a hand drawn heart. “Have a great year. You are loved by so many people.”

The coat drive ran through Friday, Jan. 16 at Garrison Mill and continues at BFT Gym for the remainder of the month.