Chicago Daily Herald
KANE COUNTY — Inmates brought into the Kane County jail during the summer could eventually be on the list of those released six months later — in the dead of winter.
If those people don’t have winter coats, that’s a cold slap in the face and not the best way to get off to a fresh start on life.
Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez and his staff have felt that a supply of winter coats would go a long way toward solving a problem that has existed for a long time.
Ted Spiro, a Geneva boy looking to earn his Eagle Scout honor, learned about this problem from his dad, the Rev. Peter Spiro, the sheriff’s office chaplain.
In response, Ted created the “Second Chance Coat Drive” as his Eagle project and went on to deliver fliers door-to-door at more than 1,500 homes throughout the area.
The result was 300 donated coats for people who can use them, and a grateful sheriff’s department.
It was another sign that people are willing to help those who are trying straighten out their lives — and a good way to start is with a coat warm enough to deal with winter elements.
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