By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
EKY Mutual Aid – a volunteer community outreach organization that helps connect needy individuals and families with surplus resources – was in Olive Hill last week, distributing warm winter clothing, coats, and hygiene items including soap and hand sanitizer.
Organizer Misty Skaggs said they had seen a steady flow of people, despite the brisk autumn winds, and had given away a number of items.
“We’ve already had quite a bit go out,” Skaggs said. “People seem to be finding things they need.”
The clothing giveaways are something the organization has been doing around the region for a couple of years now, but this was their first event of this type in Olive Hill, Skaggs explained. It won’t be their last, though, and it isn’t the first outreach they’ve done in the community.
They’ve also donated a number of children’s shoes, and non-prescription reading glasses, that can be picked up for no charge at the Olive Hill branch of the Carter County Public Library. The shoes are in the children’s reading room. The glasses are in the main library room.
“We had those donated and figured maybe some of the library patrons could use a pair,” Skaggs explained of the glasses, so they left them behind.
The shoes still at the library were leftover from an event the group held at the library earlier in the year. Skaggs said they plan to do more events in conjunction with the library in the future, including a possible mural project.
Their next coat and warm clothing giveaway is planned for Grayson, provided they have enough items left or receive enough additional donations to replenish stores. You can contact the group online if you are interested in donating money or items.
They can be found online on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook by searching for EKY Mutual Aid.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
