Insurance Service of Asheville, Inc. is holding its 3rd annual blanket drive to help keep Asheville warm this winter. In a two-part outreach program, the local, independent insurance agency, in partnership with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) and radio station 98.1FM The River, is:
• donating 288 brand new fleece blankets — enough to cover every bed in ABCCM’s network of residential facilities: the organization’s Veterans’ Restoration Quarters and shelters; and
• holding a blanket drive on Thursday, November 15thfrom 7:00am-12:00 noon in the parking lot of its offices at Executive Park at the corner of College and Charlotte streets to collect new and clean, gently used blankets for ABCCM’s Crisis Ministry.
The public is invited to stop by the drive the morning of November 15th, drop off a donation of one or more blankets, and enjoy coffee, donuts, and home-baked breakfast treats from the ISA staff. Staff from ABCCM, Insurance Service of Asheville, and 98.1FM The River’s live remote team will be on hand for the blanket drive. Last year’s drive resulted in the donation of more than 1,500 blankets.
According to Insurance Service of Asheville President Jim Stickney, “Our company’s annual blanket drive is a way for us to meet a tangible need in our community as we near the holiday season. Because we provide coverage for people and businesses in Asheville through our insurance work, the blanket drive is a natural fit. We want, with the community’s help, to assist ABCCM in providing this basic necessity, and we hope to exceed last year’s impressive blanket donation total of around 1,500 blankets.” ABCCM is the primary non-profit organization addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness and access to health care for the under-served in Buncombe County.
For more information about Insurance Service of Asheville’s Winter 2012 Blanket Drive, visit www.isa-avl.com.