During the 2019 school year, Rogers Scholar and Sheldon Clark High School student Levi McCoy launched a community coat drive for Martin County students.
McCoy placed donation boxes throughout the community to collect new and gently used winter coats for students served by the school’s Youth Resource Centers.
“Like many other Eastern Kentucky counties, Martin County’s economy has been in decline for the last decade,” McCoy said. “Many people cannot afford to buy their kids winter coats. This project was a way for me to not only give back to the community that has been so good to me, but to also improve the lives of kids in my area.”
McCoy partnered with local community leaders and business owners to provide winter coats to an estimated 197 students in Martin County. The Rogers Scholars community service project was completed in December and the coats were distributed to students by the Youth Resource Centers.
“Levi is a very dedicated young man and this project was very much needed in our community,” said Sheldon Clark High School principal Martha Williams.
Each graduate of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program is required to complete a community service project. For more information about Rogers Scholars, visit www.centeryouthprograms.com.