ESCANABA – The Bay College and Lake Superior State University regional chapter of Business Professionals of America annual “Warm coats for warm hearts” campaign collected coats for those in need in Delta County. This student-driven campaign ran from Oct. 6-20. With the community’s outpouring of support, a total of 207 items were collected during the campaign.

Collection boxes were placed at Elmer’s, Pat’s Foods IGA (Gladstone), Integra First Federal Credit Union (Powers), YMCA Aquatics & Athletics buildings, Massie’s County Market (Bark River), Delta Church and on the Bay College Escanaba Campus in the HUB.

“Every year, the community comes together to give back; it warms my own heart to see. We want to thank every business and location that housed our boxes, and the community who generously donated over 200 items to those in need,” said Marcy Dugree, a Bay College student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration and BPA member. “In BPA, we learn to give of our time, talents, and treasures for our community, and it’s so amazing to see them doing the same.”

On Oct. 21, BPA students came together to sort every donation. Then, on Oct. 22, coats and other winter gear were distributed to the Salvation Army and Tri-County Safe Harbor.

Dugree reflected, “BPA teaches us about self-improvement and this event has a lot to show us. This event taught us the core of two of the pillars of BPA: leadership and community service. We grew up from this event, but it was because of the community that we could receive so many donations and help keep people warm.”