Tyrone Area High School junior Olivia Newlin was looking for an impactful community service project idea when she noticed a child walking in Tyrone on a chilly day without a coat.

“He looked very cold,” Newlin said. “And that’s when I knew I wanted to do something.”

Newlin organized a school-wide coat drive to help students, like the one she saw that day, stay warm as the cold weather sets in.

“I wanted to make sure every child in the Tyrone area was warm in this chilly weather,” Newlin said.

Middle School Counselor Matt Kimberlin appreciates the work Newlin did to help Tyrone students in need.

“Olivia’s passion to help those in need is such a wonderful example that one person can truly make a difference in the lives of many,” Kimberlain said.

Newlin advertised the coat drive to teachers and staff members in the school by distributing flyers and personally asking for donations.

Donations were collected at the high school and middle school main offices.

She didn’t set a specific goal for how many coats she hoped to collect, but said that she collected over 80 coats.

“My goal was just to collect enough coats to make a difference for those who needed warm layers,” Newlin said.

There are coats in a wide range of sizes, from child to adult, Newlin said.

The coats are available to any student in need at the Eagle’s Closet, a fully stocked school “store” where any student can get clothing and other necessities free of charge.

The Eagle’s Closet has clothes, shoes, socks, deodorant, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene products.

Kimberlin said that at least six students have already benefited directly from Newlin’s coat drive.

He encouraged any student in need of a warm winter coat to contact their guidance office (elementary, middle, or high school) via email or personally to arrange a visit to the Eagle’s Closet.

Kimberlin also stressed that all students are eligible to receive items from the Eagle’s Closet, and student confidentiality will be strictly upheld.