3 Minute Interview-Hudgins

By William C. Flook
Examiner Staff Writer 12/3/08

Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, together with nonprofit Reston Interfaith, sponsors the annual Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet, which collects and distributes winter coats to needy children and adults. The program is in its seventh year and will accept donations through March 14. Last year, the program provided 4,869 coats and 1,535 accessories. For information, call 703-478-0283.

How did this program get its start?

There were two incidents that reminded us that there was a real need out there. One was a child on the school bus, and the school bus driver wanted to know why she didn’t have a coat. She said she didn’t have it, not that she didn’t have one that day, but she didn’t have a coat. Another happened with one of the clients from the social service. As a result we put a program together, and it’s turned out to be really a dire need and good success in terms of both people who contribute as well as people who come to use it.

Are you seeing a greater demand this holiday season for the Coat Closet?

I would think we do see more. It was really interesting the first weekend it was open, they were outside the door. I came in one evening — they are open on Tuesday and Thursday — and again they were outside the door. ... It’s growing, people recognize there is an opportunity for something that is a dire need for them. And we’re having an earlier cold season this time too.

Where do the contributions come from, and is that keeping up with demand right now?

I think it’s keeping up. We’ve been very fortunate to have a very generous community. We had a business group that said they went around to their cubicles and asked what could they do, and they came in with an armload of coats. Someone came in the very first or second day, and they had 200 coats. And we have students who come in as part of a program they’re working on in their school for community service.

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