By Mike Kinney
Richmond minister and motivational speaker Audra ‘Golddie’ Williams has launched an Urgent Winter Coat Drive benefiting youth in Richmond and Oakland.
Williams is working on the effort with 2nd Chance 4 Kids Inc., an Oakland-based organization dedicated to providing homeless and underprivileged children with clothing, school supplies, mentoring services and other necessities.
The winter coat drive is seeking community donations to ensure hundreds of coats end up in the hands of children in need this winter. She said people from the community can make donations via Facebook here.
Williams is also collecting requests for coats from families in need. Requests for coats by families can be made by filling out the form at this link.
The coats will be distributed during Thanksgiving weekend at the Bay Area Girls Club, 260 Broadway in Richmond, where Williams serves as a board member.
“COVID-19 has hit many families hard,” Williams said. “This year those in need will be a larger population.”
Williams said she was once a single mom needing help.
“These kinds of drives helped my family a lot,” she said, adding, “For many years I was standing in Christmas giveaway lines with my children because we needed the support. Many of those opportunities are gone now, and we counted on them every year.”
Williams said she hopes to continue the coat drive annually and increase the number of kids benefiting from it
“I feel blessed and honored to be able to support my community,” she said. “I am grateful we can do something to help.”
