The weather can really mess things up when it wants to. The destructive power of tornadoes and hurricanes is no secret to anyone. However, what can be just as destructive over a long period of time can be searing heat, biting cold, and overbearing humidity. This is true for people as much as for belongings.
The self storage industry developed the climate controlled unit in order to keep things like the heat, cold, and humidity from damaging what was stored inside. Most self storage facilities will come with a number of climate controlled units for tenants that are concerned about what the climate could do to their belongings.
Making a storage unit capable of withstanding the climate is one thing, but making it possible for a person to withstand the perils of the climate is another matter altogether. People can have a hard time dealing with extreme climate conditions. When it comes to the heat, people will typically seek an air conditioned shelter, a cold drink, or some shade. Besides going indoors, escaping the rain or cold is not so easy for people.
That is, unless you have a good jacket or coat. Sadly, there are a number of people across the country that do not have a coat to keep them warm when it is cold outside or dry when it is raining. To help those people, a number of self storage companies around the country hold coat drives so that people can feel the comfort of climate control not unlike storage units..
Back in December 2009, the people at StorQuest Self Storage in Los Angeles got involved in the One Warm Coat drive in a rather unique fashion. Rather than simply advertise their involvement in the charity approximately 65 people hit the streets of LA and asked people to donate their coats. They collected over 150 that day.
Every December each of their 45 locations serves as a drop off point and collection center for people interested in donating coats for the less fortunate.
In New York, Guardian Self Storage is currently collecting coats to benefit the Dutchess Outreach's annual Susan DeKeukelaere Memorial Coat Drive. Last year they collected around 6,000 coats, a much needed commodity once winter hits the north east part of the country. They will continue collecting coats through Halloween and get them distributed before the weather gets real cold.
Sources Used:
“Group seeks donated coats for the needy.” Poughkeepsie Journal.com; 10 October 2011.
“StorQuest Coat Drive.” Discount-Moving-Boxes.com; 11 June 2011.