Local teen gives winter assistance

A WARM HEART OFFERS WARM CLOTHING — Weirton Madonna High School senior Cole Canterbury of Wintersville worked with officials at the Brooke-Hancock Salvation Army to provide Cole’s Clothing Closet to those in the community in need of winter clothing. -- Contributed
WINTERSVILLE — Temperatures have been unbearable for the last several weeks. The time has come where those throughout the Ohio Valley need to dress as warm as possible to avoid frostbite, pneumonia or worse. However, there are many area residents who are not able to afford the winter clothing necessary to prevent such circumstances from occurring.
One local teen realized this and took it upon himself to ensure those who need winter apparel receive that type of assistance.
Enter Wintersville resident Cole Canterbury, a senior at Weirton Madonna High School. Last January, he did a history project which led to his learning just how many low-income families are living in this area. So he decided he wanted to be a part of the solution. While a junior, he approached nine area businesses asking if they would allow a clothing bin to be placed at their establishment for a month. He entitled his project “Cole’s Coats for Kids.”
Many of the patrons donated to his cause, with coats being in good or new condition. Canterbury also accepted monetary donations, purchasing new coats with the contributions. In all, more than 200 coats were collected and distributed at the Weirton and Wellsburg Salvation Army locations on Jan. 13 of last year.
Canterbury worked with former Cpt. Gene Hunt from the Brooke-Hancock Salvation Army to plan the event. Hunt had said of the teen’s project there are not too many young people who are stepping up and doing projects such as this. He applauded Canterbury’s efforts, stating he sacrificed his time and energy to ensure other’s needs were met.
“Seeing a bunch of people cold in the wintertime and not having coats was kind of upsetting,” Canterbury had stated. “So I wanted to make a change.”
And the change continued this year, as well. With the arrival of November, Canterbury asked the same businesses, 11 in all, if they would again host a clothing bin to collect not only coats, but additional winter-weather apparel.
Why the change?
“Last year I noticed a lot of people were looking for more than just coats,” he commented. “It’s not just coats, what people need — they need shoes, pants, whatever,” he said. So he renamed his project “Cole’s Clothing Closet.”
Canterbury said he wanted to make sure younger children were given the clothing they need for school, while still helping others in the community. He even cleaned out his own closet which consisted of Nike hoodies, American Eagle clothing and sports attire. He understood there are some families who simply cannot afford to buy their children brand-name items such as these.
So again, Canterbury contacted the Salvation Army and its new majors, Eric and Tonya Roberts. Together, they planned another distribution which took place on Saturday at the Weirton and Wellsburg Salvation Army locations and will be given at area local schools.
The majors explained the nonprofit organization wants to give back to the community and help those who are less fortunate throughout the year. “We have folks that can’t afford brand-new jackets or clothes, so this was a way for them to receive those items for free,” Tonya said.
This year’s distribution gave away more than 570 clothing items, ultimately helping approximately 35 local families. Recipients of the winter accessories were not the only ones who were impacted by Canterbury’s generosity, however.
The majors stated they, too, were touched by Canterbury’s gesture to assist others during this time of the year. The Roberts shared a moment during the clothing drive in which a mother was asked what it means to be able to receive such a gesture. Her response: “It’s hard for my children to go to school and not have the name-brand clothes that their other classmates have.” Canterbury’s contribution of Nike clothing made that mother’s wish for her children come true. A small gesture on his part that meant a great deal to another.
“So, what a blessing it was to hear that story,” Tonya concluded.
Businesses offering their location included Sweet Temptations Pastry Shop, Rasicci and Co. Salon, Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mainstream Physical Therapy, DANCEnterprises, Casey Sisters Dance Academy, Hood’s Pharmacy, Traubert’s Pharmacy, Madonna High School, St. Joseph the Worker School and St. Paul School.
Although Canterbury plans to enter the honors program at Mercyhurst University in Erie to study athletic training following his graduation, he has a desire to help the people of the Ohio Valley, even while he is away. Community service is part of the extra requirements in college, according to his mother, Leslie Fuscardo. “His efforts were not part of a school assignment or community service requirement. He has already surpassed his necessary hours. What he has done has made huge impacts in the community.” She said her son hopes to continue the project while away at school. “If it becomes an impossible endeavor, he will work on completing this project in the Erie area,” she noted.
Canterbury is vice president of Madonna’s Student Council, editor-in-chief of the Madonna yearbook, secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of the Madonna boys basketball team and plays on its golf team. He has served as a West Virginia judicial scholar and on the OVAC Student