Coldwater Creek makes large donation in art supplies

PARKERSBURG - A company on Friday donated more than $227,000 in art framing supplies to local organizations.

The materials have been accumulating at Coldwater Creek for more than 10 years and storage had become an issue, said Jeremiah Cox, a team leader at the international marketer. Cox coordinated the donations through Wendy Tuck, director of the Volunteer Action Center.

''It's just a wonderful gift for the community,'' Tuck said.

Pickup trucks came to haul away the frames, mats and Plexiglass, she said.

The supplies will be used for youth programs, art projects and for volunteer recognition, Tuck said.

Numerous schools from Wood, Washington and Pleasant counties and art teachers from West Virginia University at Parkersburg picked up mats, frames and Plexiglass for their students.

Other nonprofit agencies receiving materials included the Volunteer Action Center, SW Resources, the Parkersburg Art Center, Little Kanawha Resource Conservation and Development, the Smoot Theatre, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, WASCO workshop, Westbrook Health Services and Black Diamond Girl Scouts Council.

The pickups were organized by the Volunteer Action Center.

"This is a prime example of the power of people working together," said Tuck. "Coldwater Creek made this incredible donation to the community, and no one agency could have used everything that they were offering. Together, we were able to put all these supplies to very good use. Our students will benefit, our schools, our youth programs, our volunteers. Many of the teachers were coming up with ways they could collaborate on art shows and projects as they were carrying stacks of mats into their trucks."

The materials have accumulated at the Coldwater Creek distribution center around 10 years, Cox, a team leader in the frame shop, said. ''Finally they said donate it,'' Cox said.

The purchase price of the materials was $227,680, he said.

Coldwater Creek is based in Sandpoint, Idaho, and specializes in women's clothing, jewelry, accessories and gifts. The company sells merchandise at retail stores, from its Web site at www.coldwatercreek.com and from direct-mail catalogs.

The company started 24 years ago and offered merchandize by direct mail catalogs.

The East Coast Operations Center opened in 2000 and also houses a call center.