PANAMA CITY — For more than a decade, a local law firm has been keeping children warm with the community’s help.
Manuel & Thompson Attorneys at Law launched its annual Coats for Kids drive 11 years ago, and this year, the firm collected more than 700 coats for children in need.
“This year, I believe, we’ve collected more than we ever have,” said Attorney Waylon Thompson. “It’s really the community doing it; we’re just kind of a clearing house.”
This year, coats were collected from 36 drop-off locations throughout Bay County.
“What it has evolved into, each year we’ve decided to get more community involvement,” Thompson said. “The community has really come together.”
The coats will be distributed to children in need through agencies like Anchorage Children’s Home, Early Education and Care and Bay District Schools. Adult coats and sweaters also will be handed out at the Panama City Rescue Mission and local nursing homes.
Although the drive wrapped up last week, Thompson said coats still are needed and can be dropped off at the Manuel & Thompson offices at 314 Magnolia Ave. in Panama City.