Friendly rivalry to provide warm clothing
Putting aside their political differences, Garland County Democrats and Republicans are engaging in a friendly competition for a good cause: collecting winter clothing for distribution through Jackson House.
“The political divisiveness happening in this country on the national level really inspired this idea,” Timothy L. Yates, a former secretary for the Democratic Party who conceived the inaugural event, told The Sentinel-Record Friday.
The online contest officially began Dec. 3 and runs through 2:55 p.m. on Dec. 17. During that time, participants will donate coats, hats, socks, underwear, gloves, blankets, and other items or make cash donations to Jackson House and will submit a photo of the items
donated or of the receipt for money donations to the event’s Facebook page.
Items can be dropped off at Jackson House, 705 Malvern Ave., or sent via Amazon/Walmart and participants should indicate which “team” they are on, Democrat or Republican, a release said.
“The purpose of this idea is to display that locally we come together, as one Garland County,” Yates said. “I have organized drives through the Democratic Party but with the recent election I thought this idea would help showcase that our county can unite for a purpose.”
Yates reached out to his connections with his party and “presented the idea via Zoom to the Democrats and they were on board,” he said. Then he contacted Matt McKee, chairman of the Garland County Republican Party, about it.
“Matt was enthusiastic to be included in this effort to help those in need within our community. Matt is a great guy and always looking to help in any way he can,” Yates said, noting they decided on Jackson House because “it’s a staple in our community, always helping those in need.”
Yates said he talked to Janie Smith, executive director of Jackson House, and “she was absolutely excited about the idea, not only to help those in need, but the idea of bringing the two parties together to show that here in Garland County we can put our differences aside and benefit the community.”
“It’s a lot of fun for sure,” Smith told the newspaper Saturday when asked about the contest.
“Need knows no boundaries. I am excited the political parties have come together in fun to address a serious need in our community,” Smith said. “Everyone uses socks, underwear, blankets, and coats when it is cold.”
The event uses “a fun competition” to help those people “that need it the most,” she said, noting, “the people who really win will be blessed by those who participate. We need hope and levity in the cold winter during a pandemic that affects us all.”
Yates said there will be updates on the progress of the event at its Facebook page, https://fb. me/e/ 1JwAbSqfp, and the winner will receive a plaque to represent their success.
“Invite your friends and let’s come together as ‘One Garland County,’” he said. “With people losing their jobs, the need for help from the Jackson house has increased tremendously.”
He said the event had already sparked a lot of interest, noting he received a message from one donor in Delaware. He said the Democrats were currently in the lead as of Friday.
“I am hoping to make this an annual event to bring us together as ‘One Garland County,’” Yates said.