St. Joseph Automotive looks to pay it forward with coat drive

Casey Phillips recognized there was a need in St. Joseph and she wanted to do something about it.

The co-owner of St. Joseph Automotive knew there was a coat drive going on at local schools. She took that idea and expanded on it.

“I thought we could reach a group of donors that didn’t have kids in school,” Phillips said.

Phillips created a program where customers could drop off coats, hats, gloves and socks. In return, they would receive a coupon for a standard lube, oil and filter change.

“I thought it would resonate with our newsletter subscribers as a simple way to give back in the community and give them the opportunity to gift a coupon to someone if they wanted to,” she said.

The shop, located at 703 N. Fourth Street in St. Joseph, is accepting all sizes of coats from baby to children, men’s and women’s. They are also accepting gloves, hats and socks. They are open Monday through Friday at 8 a.m, to 5 p.m.

Phillips said she would even pick up donations if those wanting to donate emailed matt@stjoeauto.com.

Phillips said that while people often want to donate items to families and people in need, finding a location during the holiday time can be difficult.

“I am even willing to pick them up from a front porch and leave the coupon under the mat,” Phillips said.

Phillips said she hopes the coats collected will help those in need who may not be willing to accept help from a formal organization.

“I have a couple of friends deeply involved in this community that know of individuals and families that could use a little help but wouldn’t accept it if it came from an organization,” Phillips said. “This way it’s done discreetly and would be in the form of a trusted friend giving a gift instead of it being perceived as a handout.”

Phillips said the shop is dedicated to paying it forward when they can because of the love and support they have received from the town.

“It took a leap of faith for people to trust us as the new guys in town when we took over Mike’s shop several years ago and the outpouring of support from them deeply resonated with us,” she said. “The grace and love we were shown as we went through our growing pains humbled us and we deeply want to pay it forward where we can. Our responsibility as business owners is to not only strive to have a successful shop, but to take care of others whenever we can as we are blessed with the means to do so.”