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More than 20 county students received winter coats and sweaters at the Hollister Police Station after a night that dipped to 36 degrees earlier in December. More than 80 others received their coats at school.
On Dec. 13, Hollister Police and San Benito County Office of Education representatives held their fourth annual coat drive distribution for a list of more than 100 foster and homeless students. Family members also received socks and shoes, and were treated to pastries, coffee and hot cocoa.
Hollister Police Sgt. Staci Esqueda said normally the coats and sweaters are donated by community members but this year the police officers union paid for 50 of the coats and sweaters that were given to students. Esqueda said the union had budgeted up to $2,500 to buy the winter wear but did not know how much of that was spent.
“By and large, we enjoy interacting with the community in a positive way,” Esqueda said. “It’s important to show the community we are people, have personalities, and we want to smile.”
She said officers are not always able to demonstrate their personalities when they are responding to situations that are “not favorable” to families.
Assistant Superintendent Gwen Baquiran said it’s important for community partners to come together not just in times of crisis, but also to spread joy and warmth for students who lack basic needs on a day-to-day basis.
“For me, it’s not just about clothing,” Baquiran said. “It’s about dignity and care and showing the students that the community is behind them.”
Esqueda said the students were identified by the Office of Education, which gave the officers a list of 50 recipients.
Baquiran said police officers covered students from Hollister and the Office of Education covered the rest, including charter and rural school students.
She said the Office of Education also handed out hygiene and winter kits which included blankets, hats, gloves and hand warmers.
Esqueda said the students who were unable to come to the police station received the coats at their schools this week.
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