On Thursday, November 16th, Veritas School completed their first ever Puritan Cleaners’ Coats for Kids coat drive. After collecting coats for over a week in a friendly competition that paired an Upper School group with a Lower School grade, the Upper School students met for their regular morning meeting to focus attention on the results of bringing gently used coats for Puritan Cleaners to repair and clean for distribution to those in need through The Salvation Army’s Christmas Center.
Mrs. Jacquelin Ukrop Aronson, 2023 Richmond Christmas Mother, addressed the rows and rows of Upper School students and faculty seated in the gym, thanking them for their contributions and encouraging them to always step in and participate when given the opportunity to serve. Mrs. Sara Moncrieff of Puritan Cleaners also thanked the Veritas community. She told an inspiring story of one of her first experiences of accepting a coat from a mother who came to Puritans to donate one of the favorite coats her young daughter had outgrown.Â
Mrs. Aronson shared, "The donation of these hundreds of coats demonstrates the great beauty in the act of giving and receiving. I was especially touched as four students took turns praying over the coats by giving thanks for those who gave the coats and those who will repair and clean the coats, and by offering a blessing for those who will receive and wear the coats. I extend a huge thank you to all of the Veritas families who participated in helping to keep Richmonders warm this winter."
After the formal meeting, the students and faculty made a funnel with two lines facing one another. Very quickly, coats were being passed along both lines, with many hands touching each coat as it made its way to the Coats For Kids van.  Much energy flowed as all 425 coats made it down the line from the original pile on the gym floor all the way to the van.
Watch this video produced by Puritan Cleaners to experience the beautiful blessing of this act of giving and receiving:
