Teen gives back on MLK day with coat drive for needy

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Amanda Hall talks about the coat drive she thought of and organized.

A young high school student found a great way to give back on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

On Oakman west of Woodward today, a line of bundled people waited, looking for something warmer.

It hits you when you see the little ones toddling around the coat tables, or shyly browsing the girls' scarves.

Tiara, 7, has some colors in mind.

"Pink or purple and all the colors of the rainbow," she said.

North Farmington High School student Amanda Hall decided to do a coat drive, so she did it.

She got her classmates and friends and church all involved.

"It's making a big difference," Hall said. "I'm really happy that people are able to come on out for this."

One recipient gave hugs for just a light vest.

These are the faces, the pictures, of a coat distribution, by turns hectic and orderly,

Bone chilling cold in line, warmer air and human warmth inside the gym.

"I got a jacket, some gloves for my daughter," said one man. "I needed it, know what I mean?"

Hours after it began the human drama of the task still unfolding - an ambulance arrives for a woman who passed out in line.

While at the same moment a school bus arrives from Brightmoor church with a second wave of coats. Volunteers rapidly trying to get them inside.

The need is constant and Amanda knows it.

"We need to do things to help out our community," Hall said. "If people are lacking things or less fortunate to have something and we have something to give to them, we need to."

Denise Figurski is with the neighborhood service organization, which hosted the event.

"It shows what young people can do," she said. "A small idea given to the right people with the support behind it can really change a lot of lives."

For those who came here, the coats arrived not a moment too soon, given the weather.