By Pat Byington for Bham Now

Jenny Nickoli, Manager of the Alabama Outdoors Homewood store, photo by Pat Byington

This year’s annual holiday Jacket Drive at Alabama Outdoors is especially meaningful for Homewood store manager Jenny Nickoli and her family.

As the manager, she was given an opportunity to choose a local charity to be the recipient of this special customer-driven program.

Her local charity: First Light Shelter for Women and Children.

A family commitment

According to Jenny, her mother regularly delivers meals to the shelter and volunteers to spend the night there twice a month, to make sure the mothers and the children are safe and well. Following her mother’s example, Jenny has taught an art therapy class at the shelter, and helped the residents make special ornaments and crafts which has raised funds for the charity’s programs.

And now, Jenny’s children are volunteering at First Light.

First Light Shelter for Women and Children has a special place in my heart. My family has been involved there for many years, and now my work family has the opportunity to partner with them too. At Alabama Outdoors, we serve our customers every day and to have the opportunity to serve the residents of First Light gives our work additional meaning” stated Jenny.

How the Alabama Outdoors Jacket Drive works

Beginning on December 4th and ending on Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24th, come in to any Alabama Outdoors location and find the Jacket Drive donation box near the front of the store. Place your gently used coat in the box, feel free to look around in the store, and when you are ready to leave, let an Alabama Outdoors team member know which jacket you provided and they will give you a 15% discount off a single full price jacket or pullover.

It’s really that easy.

Partnering with charities throughout the state Alabama Outdoors will be holding the Jacket Drive at all its locations in Alabama. Each gently used coat will be given to local charities near Alabama Outdoor store locations.

They include:

Homewood – First Light
Florence, Alabama – Salvation Army of Florence
Huntsville, Alabama – Salvation Army of Huntsville
Trussville, Alabama – T.E.A.M. (Trussville Ecumenical Assistive Ministry)
Inverness – Vapor Thrift Store
Mobile, Alabama –  Mobile Rescue Mission

Molly Self, Alabama Outdoor Community Events Coordinator added, “Alabama Outdoors is fortunate to be a part of some incredible communities within our state. This year we are excited to partner with organizations playing a vital role in bettering the lives of those in our community. We are thankful for the opportunity to give back any chance we can.”

Support Alabama Outdoors Jacket Drive and Jenny Nickoli this month. Be part of something special that will make this holiday season truly meaningful.