Thank you for the recent article about the shortage in coat donations (“Weathering the cold,” Dec. 24).
As president and CEO of One Warm Coat, a national nonprofit that provides free coats to children and adults in need, I felt compelled to reach out to let readers know how they can help address this critical shortage.
One Warm Coat operates the largest coat drive program in the U.S. and annually facilitates the collection and distribution of more than 500,000 coats to people across all 50 states. In Illinois alone, we are supporting nearly 100 coat drives, many in partnership with organizations like Cradles to Crayons, which is mentioned in the article.
This winter, the need is greater than ever. One Warm Coat is poised to help community members share warmth with their neighbors in need. Readers can make a difference today. Those who wish to help should visit our Coat Drive Map at onewarmcoat.org/share-warmth/donate-coats to search by ZIP code to find a coat drive nearby where they can donate new or gently worn coats. Gently worn coats should be clean and wearable, without any tears, holes or missing buttons.
Readers who wish to have an even greater impact can visit onewarmcoat.org to register to hold a coat drive. One Warm Coat provides all of the resources needed to hold a successful drive.
No one should experience a Chicago winter without the protection of a warm coat. Community members can join us in sharing warmth with their neighbors in need today. Thank you to the Tribune for bringing attention to this important issue.
— Beth W. Amodio, president and CEO, One Warm Coat
CTU president’s remark
As quoted in the Tribune (“War of words erupts between CPS and CTU,” Jan. 5), Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy David Gates recently said: “Young people get a better education if they have Black teachers.” I totally resent and disagree with this comment.
As a former white teacher who taught in Black schools in Chicago for most of her 34 years, I am irate over her implication that I did not give my students the best education I could. Totally untrue!
I believe I went above and beyond not only in instilling in my students the knowledge needed to survive in the world but also by helping them recognize the value of being an educated citizen. I know I loved and respected them, and because I did, they loved and respected me. Just ask them.
I am of the generation when Jackie Vaughn was president of the CTU. She knew when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em. Davis Gates is no Jackie Vaughn.
— Jeanette Mehr, Libertyville
A time of segregation
As the public remembers Jimmy Carter, I realize that Elvis Presley and Carter were similar in some ways. They were born and raised in the South during segregation. They grew up with African American friends and sustained those relationships despite the racism they were surrounded by. Presley and Carter appreciated the culture and were affected by the music of their African American friends and neighbors such as church services filled with emotional gospel music.
Carter and Presley became examples of acceptance during a very oppressive period of American history. These two white men influenced the civil rights movement of their time and helped shape American culture as we know it.
— Linda Morton, Harvard
Anger over US flags
Only a man as vainglorious and disrespectful as Donald Trump would, as it has been reported, be fuming that the U.S. flag will still be flown at half-staff to honor the recent passing of former President Carter, when Trump is inaugurated.
Trump, as is his custom, makes everything about himself and feels slighted by events that few others would consider offensive. For me, it’s hard to believe that this man will soon be sworn in as the next president of the United States.
— Ken Derow, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Complaint is petty
How petty can this guy be to complain about U.S. flags still being at half-staff to honor former President Jimmy Carter during his millionaire-sponsored inauguration?
— Tom Witte, Batavia
Why the US is a joke
When Donald Trump says, “Our country is a disaster, a laughing stock all over the world,” I wonder if he sees the irony behind his statement.
— Chuck Kessler, Northbrook
Lower food prices
I went to Jewel recently. Eggs were on sale for $5.99 a dozen. Maybe next week, they will be locked behind a glass partition, and a customer will need a store employee to open it. Jan. 20 can’t come soon enough.
I’ll be watching for the new administration to take decisive action so food prices begin dropping in February.
— Mark Renz, Oak Lawn
Starbucks employees
In regards to the letter “Seek more skills” (Jan. 1), the writer specifically mentions Starbucks employees. My niece works there and is super-intelligent. In fact, most Starbucks workers are. She is a full-time student at Arizona State University who is also working full time at Starbucks. She will be graduating magna cum laude in May.
The employees are extremely intelligent as they deal with people such as the letter writer. They have to remember a ton of specific orders each and every day. Starbucks corporate offices have recently forced the tip screen to appear at the end of every purchase. The baristas get yelled at as if they configured it.
People such as the letter writer need to open their eyes and appreciate the baristas because they are never paid enough to serve people like the letter writer with kindness and a smile.
— Laurie Zinkel, Homer Glen
Education in trades
Regarding the op-ed about trade schools (“Why West Side students need trades education,” Jan. 6), I couldn’t agree more!
I recall several years ago that TV personality Mike Rowe had a scholarship program for anyone wanting to go to a trade school, and he said it was getting harder and harder to give away the money as young people thought they had to have a college education.
College is not for everyone, and no matter how bad the economy gets, people still need to have their plumbing, heating and cooling, and electrical items repaired!
— Renette Frank, Frankfort
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