COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — When Raleigh Thornton III and his partner, Symone Blackwell-Hill, opened the doors to Timeless Learning Center in September, they wanted to ensure every student had a safe place to learn and grow after school. Thornton said part of that mission is helping every student stay warm in the winter.
“We are excited to be able to give tangible items that will benefit our students directly. As (a) ninth grader enrolled at Dayton Early College Academy some years ago, I was the recipient of a donated coat that I still have today, 12-plus years later,” Thornton said. “So we are excited to have an opportunity to pay forward the same blessings that were given to us in our adolescence.”
TLC’s inaugural coat drive is on its way to 100 coats already, with its fundraiser stretching from Dec. 1 to Jan. 6. Thornton said TLC will purchase hats and gloves to go with every donated coat. Thornton said he and Blackwell-Hill, who is also an educator with Columbus City Schools, are open to donations, but also to connecting with any students in need.