School Resource Deputies Create “Coats4Kids” Program to Meet the Needs of Many

As the winter season quickly approaches the students in Leon County begin to bundle up. Unfortunately, there will be some children in Leon County that will not have the necessary warm clothing they should have.
Last year School Resource Deputy Jessica Ikner created a coat drive for the students at Oak Ridge and Bond
Elementary Schools in order to provide under-privileged students with warm clothes, jackets, gloves and other clothing items necessary during the winter. During the Winter months of 2010, multiple agencies, organizations and individuals forwarded emails and passed on the information by word of mouth in order to help bring a large number of items to the children in need. Last year, the coat drive was very successful and greatly benefited the children and our community.

This year, other school resource deputies have discovered many students that simply do not have essential
clothing for weather conditions at their schools and are asking for assistance from the community. Together, Resource Deputies Travis Knight and Michael Feldman have joined with Deputy Ikner and Sgt. Bobby Green to create “Coats4Kids.” The goal of this program is to reach all students within the Leon County school system and provide them the clothing they desperately need. Resource Deputies are currently working with school social workers, guidance counselors and teachers in order to reach all of the students in need.

Coats4Kids is looking for gently used or new items such as: coats, sweatshirts, scarves, gloves, hats, pants, longsleeve shirts, sweaters, closed toe shoes, socks, underwear and belts. (All sizes beginning with size 4T to adult are needed).

Sheriff Larry Campbell stated, “These deputies have created a way for this community to meet a need in the lives of our most important resource – our children. This is definitely something that benefits us all. Remember, our children will pass on the things we do for them to the next generation also.”

Superintendant Jackie Pons said, “We are proud of the many accomplishments of our SRD program and this is
just one example of how they go above and beyond each day. I want to thank the Sheriff’s Office for taking the lead in this important area that directly helps our children.”

Currently, donations are being accepted at: The Leon County Sheriff’s Office (2825 Municipal Way), Kate
Sullivan Elementary, Bond Elementary, Oak Ridge Elementary, Pineview Elementary, W.T. Moore Elementary,
Roberts Elementary, Conley Elementary, Fairview Middle, Cobb Middle, Raa Middle, Montford Middle, Nims Lt.
Middle, Deerlake Middle, Lincoln High School and PACE Secondary School. The above locations will be
collecting donations from today until December 21, 2011.

For additional information contact can be made with Deputy Jessica Ikner at 850-488-3124 or
iknerj@leonschools.net or Sergeant Bobby Green at 850-922-3329.