Her coat collection project was launched in response to an assignment in her Bear Branch Elementary kindergarten class, where each student was to bring 100 items to share with their class on Feb 2, which marked the 100th day of class.

“My mom asked me what I wanted to do for 100 days and I said I wanted to do something for the community. We went to Mission Northeast and asked if it was OK to collect 100 coats for them,” said Morris.

She said they told her yes and her mom began sending out e-mails asking for help. Within a short time, coats in various sizes and colors began showing up. On the 100th day, she delivered the coats and took pictures with the Mission’s executive director, Pam Dickson.

“I’m so proud of Rachel. It’s a wonderful thing to see a child Rachel’s age aware of caring for the needy in our community,” said Dickson.

“They took pictures with me, hugged me and said thanks,” said Morris.

Those who supported Morris’s project included friends, family, church members, PTA members, her dance team, piano teacher, school mates and her parents coworkers. Also pitching in was Palais Royal, who agreed to discount coat prices in order to help her reach her goal.

Some people donated cash for the purchase of coats and after purchasing 170 coats, the counting stopped. Her parents, Carlos and Jennifer Morris, estimate approximately 300 were purchased and donated to Mission Northeast.

Morris’s mother said that because her 6-year-old daughter has celiac’s disease, a wheat and gluten autoimmune disorder, a lot of people do nice things for her.

“This is a good way for Rachel to give back to the community for all their support,” said her mother.

Rachel and her sister, Morgan, have grown up around community service, such as participation in the Meals on Wheels program. Their mother won the 2009 FamilyTime Gala Woman of Achievement award for homemaking and they participate in philanthropic work as Strutters at Stacey’s Dance Studio.

“It felt good [to make the donation of coats.] It was a big project. I could not have done it without help,” said Morris. “Now people with no coats will have a coat. That will mean a lot to them. Some people gave me money and Mommy and I bought coats, but most people gave us coats. I had fun doing it, but I did it to help others.”

Rachel Morris would like to thank the following people for helping her collect 100 coats.  Billie and Weldon Morris ( Grandma and Grandpa); Valerie Bridges, and Trisha Wood; Susan Meinholz, Stephanie Watson; Stephanie Burklow; Stacey Willms; Stacey Johnson; Stephanie Merchant; Mary Kay Crutchfield;  Body Recall ~ Ms. Gus; Ms. Jo; Ms. Mary; Sandra Adame; Sandi Nizzi;  Rick and Alicia Lindholtz; Regina Ives; Deb Keiser; Nancy Timothy; Scott Mowery; Albert Dozier; Miles and Cynthia Kenny; Michelle Stallman;  Michelle Johnson; Michele Dykstra; Michaele Oberbroeckling and family; Malinn Saxe; Lora Unwin; Kristen Jeffries; Kathy Hawk; Kate Grimnes; Judy Mayhew; Chris and Jenny Barber; Jenn Mixon; Janice Brock; Gina Hicks; Fred Dallas; Dick and Barbara Emery; Jim and Diane Sanders;  Debbie Dent; Darrell Hemphill; Art and Cricket Stemmermann; Leslie Arceneaux; Charles Morris;  Brenda Shaffer; Megan Hoskins; Derry Summer; Angela Knight; Sydney Lloyd; Carolyn Younkin; The Wilkins family; Teresa Welch; The Staggs family; Terry Payne; Rae Rippy; The Kirsch family; The Day family; The Gruber family; Denise Neitsch; The Borrelle family; Debra McKinney; Mrs. Harris from Palais Royal at Deerbrook Mall; Mommy, Daddy and big sister, Morgan; and one anonymous donor. 

Photos: (Top) As part of a Bear Branch Elementary school projects, 6-year-old Rachel Morris donated more than 100 coats to Mission Northeast. (Bottom) Mission Northeast Executive Director Pam Dickson and kindergarten philanthropist Rachel Morris pose with the 100 of the approximately 300 coats she donated to help those in need.