Fourth grader plans clothing drive to help those in need this winter

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WEST WARWICK — Fourth grader Chase Pinheiro, 10, was on his way to baseball practice when he noticed a woman near the road. She looked cold and was asking drivers for food and money. The student at St. Joseph School in West Warwick knew that the temperatures were dropping and wanted so much to help this woman and others in a similar situation.
“I just felt so bad and thought that she might be cold,” he said. In that moment he knew he had to do something.
At St. Joseph, he approached Dean of Students Julie Capirchio to see if a school-wide clothing drive would be possible to help those less fortunate keep warm this winter.
“I think this would have been what Jesus would have done,” he said. “I hope this will help them and bring them comfort.”
Capirchio told Rhode Island Catholic that Pinheiro’s compassion spoke volumes and the school was eager to get on board.
“He came up to me and he said I need to talk to you. He said, I’m really upset because it’s getting very cold and I feel like we should have a clothing drive. I have so many coats and sweatshirts, and so many don’t.”
“Project Cover Up” will collect new or gently used coats, snow pants, hats, mittens, scarves and boots from January 18-21. The items will be donated to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society to be distributed to those in need.
“I think seeing Chase’s efforts will give students more of an opportunity to come to the faculty and staff if they have some kind of idea,” said Capirchio. “Part of our mission is service and these children are just amazing. I love that he’s a role model. The students at St. Joseph are so good, they love helping. They will go out of their way to do something kind.”