A TRUE ANGEL — A retired Corporate America professional, Linda Keys is Founder and CEO of Mississippi Coats4Kidz, an up-and-coming nonprofit organization whereby Keys’ primary mission is to ensure that all children in Batesville, Mississippi and the surrounding areas are wearing new winter coats for the winter, according to a detailed description of her venture at http://www.mississippicoats4kidz.org.
For Linda Keys, a brief stop by the internationally-acclaimed fast food restaurant that is famous for its golden arches eventually resulted in a golden opportunity for her to be a blessing to someone.
Countless individuals, come to think of it.
A retired Corporate America professional, Keys is the Founder and CEO of Mississippi Coats4Kidz, an up-and-coming nonprofit organization whereby Keys’ primary mission is to ensure that all children in Batesville, Mississippi and the surrounding areas are wearing new winter coats for the winter, according to a detailed description of her venture at http://www.mississippicoats4kidz.org.
“The smile, laughs, crying, and the happiness I can bring to a child,” Keys, 62, during a weekend interview with Making Headline News, said when asked what she loves the most about her organization, which essentially is in its infancy stages. “Some of these children have never had a new coat before. Just being able to help others (is special to me).”
There is, of course, at least one valid reason, Keys acknowledged, for thinking it essential to exemplify the gift of giving by way of warm, comfortable coats.
“Do you know the health problems come with a cold child without a coat,” Keys said. “A child cannot do their best in school if they are cold.”
To grasp a thorough concept of why Keys, a native Mississippian and Quitman County High alum, had become greatly inspired to start Mississippi Coats4Kidz, look no further the development that took place in nearby Marks, Mississippi approximately two years ago.
KIDZ COUNT — There is, of course, a valid reason, Keys acknowledged, for thinking it essential to exemplify the gift of giving by way of warm, comfortable coats. “Do you know the health problems come with a cold child without a coat,” Keys said. “A child cannot do their best in school if they are cold.”
“On a very cold morning in November 2015, I was visiting my mom,” Keys explained in a personal story on her nonprofit organization’s website. “I decided to go to the local McDonald’s for coffee. On my way there, I saw five little kids at the bus stop with no coats on in freezing.”
Consequently, witnessing those youngsters try all they could to brave the sub-freezing temperatures only fueled Keys’ desire to fortify the gift of giving the best way she knew how.
“The drive came from seeing children with no coats in the winter in Mississippi,” Keys said. “Mississippi Coats4Kidz is truly dedicated to doing what we are doing.”
ESTEEMING OTHERS — Arguably the biggest reasons Keys’ organization is extremely vital is that she cited that roughly 246,000 children live in poverty in Mississippi, meaning chances are, they have either outgrown their coat or don’t own one.
Much to Keys’ delight, other North Mississippi-area organizations have partnered with her to offer support for what has become an ongoing positive movement.
“We get funds from individuals, businesses, and First Security Bank has allowed us to put drop boxes in all their surrounding areas branches,” Keys said. “(We also get support from) civil clubs and churches.”
In supporting this notable cause, Keys is pleading with Mid-Southerners to either donate funds through the Mississippi Coats4kids GoFundMe account or provide her organization with new coats.
MORE EXPOSURE — Much to Keys’ delight, other North Mississippi area organizations have partnered with her, thus become inspired to support her on what has become an ongoing positive movement.
“The reason we go with new coats is because used coats must be cleaned and what it cost to clean you can purchase a coat,” Keys explained. “Some of these kids have never had a new coat, so it makes them feel great and their self-esteem goes up.”
The customary smiles on youngsters’ faces are priceless, Keys said.
“Smiling makes them feel their worth and reminds them that someone cares,” Keys said. “We give more than just a coat. Together we can make a difference. Together we can have no child in Mississippi without a coat.”
HELP THEM, PLEASE — In supporting this notable cause, Keys is pleading with Mid-Southerners to either donate funds through the Mississippi Coats4kids GoFundMe account or provide her organization new coats.
Arguably the biggest reasons Keys’ organization is extremely vital is that she cited that roughly 246,000 children live in poverty in Mississippi, meaning chances are, they have either outgrown their coat or don’t own one.
Also, on Tuesday, November 14, Keys’ organization will partner with The University of Mississippi Foundation to distribute coats to residents of Tunica, Coahoma, Quitman, Lafayette, Panola, Calhoun, Grenada, and Tippah Counties.
“We have provided coats for Tallahatchie and Tate (Counties),” she said. “We started giving out coats October 30. Some counties are larger than others, so we have more kids in some counties.”
Keys is especially grateful of the tireless efforts of those who have bought into her mission of helping families in need.
“We can do this,” said Keys, adding that her organization caters the children ranging in ages three months to 12 years old. (My organization) has taken me to parts of Mississippi that I didn’t know (existed). It has opened my eyes to opportunities I didn’t know where there. My personal mission is to provide coat for children every winter.”
What a huge difference a quick trip McDonald’s has made.
For more information about Linda Keys and Mississippi Coats4Kidz, call 314-749-6011 or send email to: mscoats4kidz@gmail.com
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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There is, of course, at least one valid reason, Keys acknowledged, for thinking it essential to exemplify the gift of giving by way of warm, comfortable coats.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
