An organization founded by Universe United Miss North Carolina Reanna Ruark is launching a new seasonal drive — this time collecting coats for families still feeling the ripple effects of last year’s Hurricane Helene.

Shining Through The Storm, the charitable initiative Ruark launched shortly after her pageant win, is now seeking new or gently used coats of all sizes to distribute across Western North Carolina.

Donations will be accepted through November 3 at two Kernersville drop-off sites: the Chamber of Commerce (136 East Mountain Street) and Burn Boot Camp (810 North Main Street). The Sunless Body Spray Tan Studio locations in High Point (2513 Eastchester Drive) and Winston-Salem (205 North Stratford Road) are also accepting donations.

The collected items will be distributed in partnership with The Blessing Project, a Swannanoa-based outreach organization.

The coat drive is the latest initiative from Ruark’s nonprofit. The organization’s first major campaign, Say Yes to the Prom Dress, collected gowns for students at Owen High School in Buncombe County earlier this year.

Since then, Ruark has expanded the organization’s reach through initiatives like a charitable partnership with Kendra Scott, with proceeds from the brand’s Winston-Salem grand opening benefiting Shining Through The Storm.

“This isn’t just about a crown,” Ruark previously told Scope News. “It’s about using the opportunity I’ve been given to truly make a difference.”

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