WILTON, CA (MPG) - More than 70 needy youngsters at Dillard Elementary School in Wilton are staying warm this winter thanks to the Rancho Murieta Corvette Club.

This was the 16th year the club tapped its treasury for its annual coat drive, with additional support from others including the Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta, which donated $500.

Although only two members drove their Corvettes because of threatening rain, the club rolled up to Dillard Elementary on Oct. 24 to make their annual delivery. They brought 74 brand-new coats, 22 pairs of shoes, 16 pairs of socks, 29 pieces of underwear, 10 shirts, one sweater, one girl’s outfit, nine backpacks, assorted adult items and a manila envelope stuffed with gift cards.

Club member Karen Pearson organizes the annual event. 

“No child should ever be cold. That’s why it’s a club effort: It just makes us feel good,” she said.

The youngsters write thank-you notes afterward, and some parents send photos. 

“Seeing the children wearing their new coats and shoes is very heartwarming,” Pearson added.

She brings the letters to club meetings so everyone can read them, and she shared them with the Kiwanis Club last year. 

The club began its annual donation in 2010 by providing gift cards for disadvantaged families at Dillard and Cosumnes River Elementary schools. Further research revealed that the need was far greater at Dillard.

The following year, they added coats and have continued the tradition ever since. Each fall, members deliver coats and other donations just before the weather turns cold.

This was Principal Trina Keating’s first encounter with the Corvette Club, as she became principal after last year’s delivery.

“Oh my goodness; I was overwhelmed with my first experience with the club,” Keating said.

“Seeing their generosity as they unloaded three carts full of coats, clothing, and over $1,000 in gift cards to support our families over the year was incredible.

“I also learned we are going to get 25 turkey dinners with all the trimmings,” she added. 

Keating said the school is focusing on kindness this year. 

“This was a perfect example of club members showing kindness to others. We appreciate the continuing generosity of these club members.”

Keating said the coats are given to students in a very private way. After staff members submit names, the children are called to the office to choose their coats and other new items. The clothing is left in the office until students can pick it up after school, unless parents stop by earlier.

Pearson said some of the clothing will be kept in the nurse’s office for children who have accidents, and the office staff decides which families receive the gift cards distributed throughout the year.

“The principal and office staff are always amazing to work with, so they also make this enjoyable,” she said.

Pearson begins shopping immediately after the October delivery. 

“I start right away to find the best deal,” she said.

Pearson does most of her shopping online. 

“When I can’t sleep, I get up and look for bargains.” She did go shopping with her granddaughter once but found it wasn’t as productive. Pearson has discovered that many brick and mortar stores immediately put their sale items online.

When Jack Parker became president in 2022, he wanted to make a few changes, including how the club handled its annual turkey donations to the Sacramento Food Bank. 

“I thought, ‘Why not cut out the middleman and find a deserving community ourselves, especially Dillard because of all the farmworkers,’” he said.

Parker said the club will donate 25 dinners this year. Members plan to buy the frozen turkeys early and store them in the St. Vincent de Paul Church freezer until volunteers assemble full meals with all the trimmings a few days before Thanksgiving. The club will deliver the dinners to the school, which will then distribute them to the families.

Parker said the dinners were funded by a successful Poker Run held on Oct. 12, which raised nearly $1,400 through entry fees and sponsorships.

He noted that the club hasn’t had many sponsors in past years, but rising costs for turkeys and other items prompted them to seek support this time. The biggest sponsor for the Poker Run was Rancho Murieta Automotive Repair, with additional contributions from Fat Mike’s Pizza, Frazinetti Winery & Restaurant and Griot’s Garage of Seattle, where Parker purchases automotive supplies.

Coincidentally, Parker and his wife, Sally Parker, have ties to Dillard Elementary dating back to when the school was in its old building with temporary classrooms. He taught band, and she served as a curriculum coach who helped establish reading programs at the school.