A member of the Father Carroll White Council 6743 gives collected coats to Dewayne and Barbara Fitzhugh, the operators of the St. John Thrift Store and Food Pantry in Brownsville. COURTESY OF KEVIN MUDD
‘Generous, generous’ donations collected for Brownsville thrift store via drive-by coat drive
BY KEVIN MUDD, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The Father Carroll White Council 6743, Mother of Mercy Ladies Auxiliary, and St. Joseph Catholic Church Religious Education joined forces to collect coats, jackets, and other clothing items to be donated to the St. John Thrift Store and Food Pantry in Brownsville.
The coat drive was inspired by the Father Carroll White Council’s video series “The Cross and Shield Award.” This was the council’s first year hosting the “Cross and Shield Award.” The award acknowledges outstanding individuals, past and present, who have contributed, in a special way, by their acts of charity and works of mercy. A video was produced about each recipient and streamed on the council’s Facebook page detailing the individuals. Dewayne and Barbara Fitzhugh, parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Sunfish and the operators of the St. John Thrift Store and Food Pantry, were one of the 2020 award recipients. The Fitzhughs’ story is one of love of neighbor, selfless service, and determination.
Clothing began arriving as soon as word of the coat drive event went public. It culminated with a Nov. 21 drive-by at the St. Joseph parking lot.
“We had pop-up tents set up and vehicles positioned for us to store the donated coats,” said James Clemons, Grand Knight of the council. “People could drive up, drop-off, and we would hand them a cup of homemade hot chocolate and marshmallows. It was a fun day.”
The parish and community’s support was incredible. Sixty-one heavy winter coats, 75 lighter jackets, 132 miscellaneous seasonal articles, and $120 in monetary donations were collected and delivered to St. John Thrift Store.
“Without people like this to help us we could not do what we need to do,” said Barbara Fitzhugh. “This is just a generous, generous donation.”
Kevin Mudd is a member of the Father Carroll White Council 6743. Follow the council’s activities and initiatives at www.facebook.com/kofc6743.
Originally printed in the January 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.