With a turnout of more than 250 students and families, this event combined one of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s (UWABC) Community Nights with an incredible opportunity for families to access free winter coats and supplies. For those unfamiliar, Community Nights are at the core of our UWABC-supported Community Schools. These monthly events bring together students, families, and community partners for food, resources, and moments of joy—all while strengthening the support systems our families rely on. At Reynolds, the evening featured healthy, delicious food, community partners offering valuable resources for parents and caregivers, and an extra-special treat: a cookie-decorating station, manned by UWABC volunteers, where kids created sweet masterpieces to take home.
The week of December 11th was a special one for the Reynolds Middle School community, as hundreds of students and families gathered for the wonderful Cookies and Coats event. This heartwarming evening showcased the power of connection, partnership, and the vital role our Community Schools play in supporting families across Buncombe County—something we saw so clearly during the recovery from Hurricane Helene and continue to witness every day.
But this event was about more than just cookies and coats; it was a testament to collaboration. With the help of UWABC-backed AmeriCorps members and volunteers from Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, families were welcomed into a beautifully designed shopping station where they could browse, try on, and choose winter gear—all free of charge. Volunteers created a shopping experience that offered dignity, care, and warmth in every sense of the word. Families left not only with full bellies but with full bags of winter clothing and supplies to prepare for the colder months ahead.
This work would not have been possible without incredible partners and community champions. The Reynolds Middle School Community School Coordinator, along with UWABC’s AmeriCorps members, Atlas and Meryl, worked tirelessly to make this event a success. Across the county, Atlas and Meryl have been working with our 7 Community Schools and supporting donation inventory, packing, and distribution, ensuring that critical supplies get to the families who need them most.
UWABC Takes a Site Visit to Understand the Scope
The story of how hundreds of winter coats and clothing made their way to this Community Night at Reynolds is equally beautiful. To understand the full scope of what it took to get those coats to Reynolds Community Night UWABC staff took a field trip! We visited ENO’s warehouse, where thousands of donated coats and supplies were housed and prepared for distribution. It was inspiring to meet key partners who have made this work possible, including Recover Clothing who donated hundreds of boxes of sustainable winter gear, Kelly Nester at Nester Hosiery, Chuck Millsaps at Great Outdoor Provision Company, and Stacey Gellert at 360 Adventure Collective. Thanks to their generosity, over 15,000 items have been collected and shared with families across Western North Carolina.
A special shout-out also goes to Jill from the North Carolina Wilderness Society, who has been instrumental in getting supplies directly to families and strengthening partnerships across the county. This network of support—spanning businesses, nonprofits, schools, and volunteers—is what ensures that all families and students can recover from Hurricane Helene. The efforts of all involved in collecting winter gear have reached organizations like Chances for Children Carolinas, American Red Cross, Beloved Asheville, and 20+ more organizations—including individual families still recovering from Helene.
At UWABC, we believe that our Community Schools are essential pieces of county infrastructure, bringing people together and ensuring that families have access to the resources they need. The Cookies and Coats event was a beautiful reflection of this work—a night filled with warmth, community, and the connections that make all the difference.
To all of our partners, volunteers, and supporters: thank you. Your contributions are not only helping families prepare for winter but also building a stronger, more connected community where everyone can thrive.
