Local realtor Valorie Blanchard wanted to do something to give back to the community, so she started the Wall of Warmth in 2017. Now in its sixth year, the Wall of Warmth has grown to involve more East Idaho communities, including Driggs, Rexburg, Rigby, Idaho Falls, Shelley, Blackfoot, and Pocatello. As the project continues to grow, Valorie has partnered with the Hall Foundation, JustServe, Streamline Chiropractic, and several other local businesses. The goal is to collect over 8,000 coats this year.
“We have witnessed some very touching moments,” said Valorie Blanchard, the founder of the Wall of Warmth. “People come to get coats for others. One guy came looking for his mother. Another man came with a list for his friends that are disabled and do not have transportation. We received a story about a lady whose husband was incarcerated, leaving her and her two boys homeless. She said the free coats allowed them to survive the winter. One woman went to a secondhand store, bought every coat they had, and donated them to the Wall of Warmth. We cannot thank the community enough for their involvement.”
Community members are encouraged to donate clean, gently used coats between October 10th – November 22nd at one of 55 plus designated drop-off boxes throughout East Idaho. Brad Hall Company employees will organize the coats and help hang them on Wall of Warmth fences in each community. Local volunteers from JustServe will maintain the Walls of Warmth. Once the Walls are set up, community members are welcome to go to a Wall of Warmth to hang up their coats or other outdoor gear such as snow pants, hats, gloves, and scarves; anything that will keep those in need warm this winter.
The Wall of Warmth will be located in nine communities throughout East Idaho. Between November 13-25, 2023, we encourage any individual to take a coat off the Wall of Warmth for themselves, family, or friends.
For questions, contact:
Valorie Blanchard
Valorie’s List 208-403-1859
https://www.facebook.com/valorieslist/
Sunny Harker
Hall Foundation 208-313-0221
[email protected]