Piqua City employee creates a winter clothing collection for kids for the second year in a row

PIQUA — A Piqua city employee is spearheading a winter clothing collection for kids for the second year in a row.

Benjamin Gover, 31, said that last year well exceeded his expectations.

Gover started the clothing drive in December 2019 because on his way to work he saw kids waiting for the bus and many of them didn’t have the proper clothes to stay warm when the temperatures were around freezing.

In 2019 Gover said, “almost breaks my heart a little bit, I’ve seen kids hunkered down I guess in the turtle position with their arms tucked into their shirt just sitting there waiting for the bus or all the kids are all huddled around each other.”

Thinking about the nearly $1800 raised and 500-600 clothing items donated in 2019 reminds Gover of a satisfying couple of months.

“I had a blast coming in here after work, separating it out for the little kids, the big kids.”

The money donated goes to buying clothes from local businesses. Last year gently used coats were dry cleaned for free at Sunset Cleaners.

Gover said because of the great response in 2019 he’s hoping with more planning and starting earlier they can surpass the totals from last year.

“If I’m out and about and I see a coat that I’ve actually sorted through and I see it on a child it just brightens my day,” Gover said.

“I’ve had bus drivers come up to me ‘I gave little Johnny a coat’ he came out of school and he was just ecstatic. It’s the little things like that that puts a smile on my face.”

This year the clothing drive will focus on coats, hats, gloves, and scarves for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade unlike a year ago when there was no specific focus.

“I’d just like to thank everybody last year, the community as a whole. All this would not be possible without you guys.”

Donations can be dropped off at both Mark Reedy - Thrivent Financial (429 N Main St, Piqua, OH) and the Piqua Chamber of Commerce (326 N Main St, Piqua, OH) Friday, November 20th through Friday, December 18th.

Gover said if there continues to be a need past that deadline they will extend it similar to what they did last year.

Everything collected will be donated to the Piqua City Schools transportation department. Each bus driver will then have an assortment of winter clothes to give out as necessary. Gover is also looking at how they can safely give winter clothes to kids who may have a need but don’t ride the bus.

Cox Media Group