Students at Unaka High School are hoping to spread a little warmth this winter.

Members of the UHS Key Club are currently holding their second annual winter coat drive and are still in need of donations.

“This coat drive will help spread the warmth this holiday season,” said Cheyenne Dugger, a senior at Unaka and one of the Key Club members organizing the drive.

Clawson said the Key Club decided to host a coat collection drive for their winter project to help make a difference in their community. “When you think of somebody having to be in the cold without any warmth, it really puts things in perspective,” Clawson said.

The Key Club is accepting donations of new or gently used coats of all sizes — children through adults — to be distributed to those in need in the school and the community.

“We will open it up to our school first, and it’s confidential,” said UHS teacher Kayla Clawson, who serves as the faculty adviser for the Key Club. Any student in the school in need of a coat can simply visit Clawson in her classroom, she said.

Once the students are taken care of, Clawson said the Key Club will donate the remaining coats to a service organization. Last year, the Key Club donated coats to local non-profit Red Legacy, Clawson said, but have not decided where they will donate coats for this year.

“Last year we had over 80 coats, and we are hoping to reach that again this year,” Clawson said. “Our goal is that nobody goes cold in the winter.”

So far though, Clawson said, they have not come close to reaching their goal.

The Key Club will be collecting coats through Friday, Dec. 8, at Unaka High School. Those wishing to make a donation can drop off coats at the Unaka High School office from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. If someone has a large donation they would like to make but are not able to bring it to the school, Clawson said they could contact her at the school by calling 423-474-4100, and she will arrange for a pickup of the donation.