Peach State Truck Centers Hosts Successful Blanket Drive for 11th Year

Snow fell on the eleventh anniversary of the Peach State Blanket Drive—the family tradition turned company-wide charity effort for Peach State Truck Centers. Over 500 blankets and other essentials were handed out to the homeless of Atlanta on Saturday, December 9 by a group led by Peach State Technical Training Instructor Darryl Matthews. What started as a way for the Matthews and his family to give back to their community, has become a yearly celebration of giving for the entire Peach State family. While the need will always be great, each year more and more donations are raised. The 2017 Blanket Drive was the biggest one so far in terms of items donated.

From a number of sources, including Peach State Truck Centers locations and various Atlanta-area churches a “truckload” of items were donated and handed out. Here are the numbers:

• 200 blankets
• 50 coats and jackets
• 90 duffle bags
• Large box of socks, gloves, and hats
• 88 women’s toiletry bags
• 92 men’s toiletry bags
• 15 unisex bags
• 20 children’s bags
• Coloring books and crayon

“We are so thankful for all that you did to make this year's blanket drive a huge success,” said Darryl Matthews in regard to Peach State’s continued support of the Blanket Drive. “We could not have blessed so many people without your donations and support.”

The group of Matthews, his family and other supporters went out on the snowy morning of December 9 with their cars loaded down with donations, driving around the city until saw people in need. Their first stop was the Safe House Shelter on Ellis Street. Inside the shelter the group was able to set the donation items out on tables for people to walk by and grab. After an hour the group moved on to the Gateway Shelter on Pryor Street.

“Rain, sleet or snow we will continue to serve this great need in Atlanta each year around Christmas,” continued Matthews. “It’s a humbling experience spending time with people who are much less fortunate than you are and see how upbeat and spiritually-minded they can be, despite their tough circumstances. It’s the least I can do to try and lend a hand.”