Girls on mission to provide warmth for area residents

Photo by Noreen Hyslop Paige Chasteen (at left) and Olivia Atkinson have organized a campaign to help area residents stay warm this winter. The two have begun a project fitting into the "Make a Difference" theme for the month of October. [Click to enlarge]

Sometimes it's little people who make a big difference in our community. When two fifth grade girls from Dexter heard about the local Regional Healthcare Foundation's "Make a Difference" challenge taking place throughout October, they quickly devised a plan designed to make a difference in the lives of other children and perhaps some adults in the area as well.

Olivia Atkinson and Paige Chasteen, both students at Central Elementary School and good friends, went to work collecting "gently used" coats, jackets and warm sweaters for needy residents of the community.

The first order of business for the girls was to get the word out about their project, and so they made flyers, with a little help from their moms, and started going door-to-door to spread the word. Artwork on the flyers show a child's hand-drawn heart with "Love is a warm coat!" inscribed in its center. The flyer tells that anyone can help "Make a Difference" by donating the needed items and that Paige and Olivia are even willing to pick up items (again, with a little help from their moms), if willing parties will call 624-4660, 625-3624, 421-1510 or 421-1445.

The plan calls for the girls to host a free yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the corner of Stoddard and Locust Streets in downtown Dexter. A rain date of Saturday, Oct. 25 has been set as well.

"Whatever coats we don't give away," say the girls, "we'll donate to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission."

"And we'll take any size," reminds Paige.

The diminutive "Making a Difference" duo have high hopes of keeping a lot of people warm this winter. Asked how many coats and sweaters they hoped to gather, Olivia simply states, "As many as we can!"

The girls' project will be part of the Regional Healthcare Foundation's contest during Make a Difference month. Further information regarding the contest may be obtained by calling the Foundation at 573-624-1607.

Items may be donated by calling any of the above local phone numbers.