Nation’s Finest Winter Coat Drive Highly Successful

100+ coats donated in 5 hours

If you’ve just recently arrived to live in the North State, generally defined as the 15 to 20 “mostly rural”  counties north of Sacramento, or even if you’re a tourist, one thing you’ll surely quickly learn is that the people of the North State, especially Shasta County-ians, are a generous bunch.

Behind 100+ donated winter coats are, from left to right, front row: Brian Holland, Brianna Holland, Penny Hartman, Linda Daricek. Back row, from left: Jason Lavon, Ed Geisler, Cole Azare and Rebecca Daricek

That North State generosity, that spirit of giving, was on full display mode on Thursday, December 18, 2025, when Nations’s Finest, a local non profit founded in 1972, with a primary mission of supporting America’s military veterans, held a Winter Coat Drive at their Redding office, located at 153 Hartnell Avenue.

Brian Holland, Veteran & resident of Nation’s Finest Walden Street home

“Oh, what a wonderful day it was,” said Rebecca Daricek, Nation’s Finest Site Director, who helped organize the Winter Coat Drive.  “In just five (5!) hours, we had a steady stream of cars, even walk ups, who gave us over 100 winter coats.”   And the one incident that she remembers most about the day was an older gentleman who handed over a fully-lined London Fog overcoat, purchased in the early ‘70s and worn just a short time during his brief stay in upstate New York.  “It’s been hanging in my closet since forever, so I’m glad it’s goin’ to a Veteran,” Daricek recalls him saying.

Nation’s Finest work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support, be it financial, donated goods, even volunteer hours, that helps raise awareness about the unique needs of Veterans and their families.  North State locals can help out by visiting Nation’s Finest website:  NationsFinest.org,  Or simply by calling their national line:  1-833-468-9676 or, if you prefer, their local line:  530-223-3211.