Norcross Woman Donates 93 Coats for her Birthday

A student at Rockbridge Elementary took a break from her classes today to do a little shopping—in the library. She perused a large pile of jackets and zeroed in a light pink one with heart-shaped polka dots. Too big. Then she tried on a satiny hot pink number with a hood. Just right. She left the library with a shy smile as Gloria Watson looked on, satisfied.

The jackets were part of a donation of coats given to the school by community member Watson on her birthday. The goal was so donate 85 coats, but she surpassed that number by rounding up 93 coats. They were folded neatly this morning awaiting students to pick them up.

“A lot of time people want to give but they don’t know how,” said Kelly McConnachie, principal at Rockbridge. She said her school is fortunate because Watson is out spreading the word, giving people an avenue for doing good. “She really is an advocate for the school,” said McConnachie.

Watson, whose birthday is Jan. 6, had a party at her home church, Rockbridge Baptist, asking people who attended to bring a coat instead of a birthday present.

She also spread the word everywhere she went. “I went to my dentist and told them about it,” said Watson. When she returned later to pick up a donation, they had seven coats ready for her. “Where ever I went, people just gave,” she said.

Watson, who used to work at a nursing home and has lived in Norcross for 33 years, is no stranger to giving. She said the idea for a charitable birthday first came when she was at the nursing home and that people just loved it.

At Rockbridge, Watson has gotten school supply donations for students, complete with a hand-written note from her, given the teachers an appreciation tea and much more. 

Watson is also a member of the Rockbridge Elementary School Council. “She’s on the council, so she’s really in tune with the needs of the students,” said McConnachie, who added that she’s really an ambassador for the community and a “great vessel” of community involvement. 

Watson hopes she helps the students do more than just keep warm. "I hope it plants a seed with them that somebody cares," she says.