A coat drive led by a local deputy hopes to keep victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina warm

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – As temperatures began to drop in Western North Carolina, Deputy Latham, who serves as the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Bellamy Elementary School, saw an opportunity to make a difference.

Recognizing the needs of recent hurricane victims in the mountains, Deputy Latham organized a coat drive. With the help of Principal Rosser and school staff, they gathered students and parents to donate coats. They also inspired other schools such as Ogden Elementary School and Masonboro Elementary to host donation drives.

Coats and handwritten notes of encouragement from students were collected from several schools and filled into a sheriff’s officer’s trailer in New Hanover for delivery.