GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — Grand Haven businesses are working together on a new campaign to help provide those in need with coats this winter.
Started by Kristen Horine of Spring Lake, the "Take a Coat, Leave a Coat" campaign is a coat drive being held at a new small business called MIRTHY in Grand Haven.
Horine started a group called "Pop of Good" that works to uplift and support local communities. The group's current project is the coat drive.
"Each year I try to raise my boys to take action and step up and show up," Horine said. "And so we have historically gathered supplies and resources and handed them out to those in need. And this year, we really wanted to take it a step further and reach out to the community."
She said since the drive started on Oct. 15, there have already been people coming in with their children to get coats.
"We've been so touched by the outpouring of support and love, and all we want to be able to do is uplift and support local businesses and support our local community members," Horine said.
The campaign will accept new or gently used coats for kids and adults. They're also in need of plus-sized coats.
For those who don't have a coat to donate but want to give a monetary donation to be used for coats, Horine set up a GoFundMe here.
"I just want people to be heard and felt and know that being in need also doesn't make you any less than," said Leiko Bergers, owner and curator of MIRTHY.