Walk for Marie organizers collect 600 coats for those in need

Sep 22, 2017

Hundreds of people in need will be a little warmer this winter after 600 coats were collected and distributed following the annual Walk for Marie.

For the past six years, Kristen Murphy, Megan Greene and Ken Metivier have helped out a local nonprofit organization in honor of their mother, Wareham’s Marie Auld, who passed away in 2012 from lung cancer. This year, the siblings collected winter coats on behalf of Turning Point. The Wareham-based organization provides an array of services and support for the homeless and near homeless.

On Sept. 20, the coats were sorted by members of Wareham High School’s Key Club, Massachusetts Maritime Academy students and two members of St. Patrick’s confirmation class for distribution. Most of the coats were given away on Sept. 21 to members of Turning Point’s Babypoint program, which benefits families and young children.

Three hundred coats will be given to the school district’s office of Beyond School Time where they will be distributed to those in need, according to Lori Briggi, director of Babypoint and Special Programs. Remaining coats will be handed out to the homeless through the Church of the Nazarene and Nights of Hospitality, a homeless shelter open throughout the winter.

“We are very grateful to all that donated so that we could help those in need,” said Briggi.

The Walk for Marie was held earlier this month in New Bedford, but the siblings accepted donations in the weeks before and after the event.

Next year, Murphy, Greene and Metivier said they plan to hold a food drive for Damien’s Pantry, located in Wareham.