Devine Carama begins 50 mile walk to raise money for coat drive

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - UPDATE: Carama says he has completed his walk. After traveling 51 miles, over the course of 36 hours and logging more than 100,000 steps he is hanging up his shoes. According to a post on social media, he raised $10,000 and his home and tired. He is still collecting donations and the final day will be Tuesday. He says on Monday he will begin making coat runs.

ORIGINAL: Lexington activist Devine Carama officially began a 50-hour walk Saturday morning in hopes of raising $50,000 toward Believing in Forever’s annual “A Coat to Keep the Cold Away” youth coat drive.

“We’ve seen a much bigger need this year for our youth coat drive,” said Carama.

Carama said the organization has seen a 40 percent increase in requests for new children’s coats this year, due to flooding in Eastern Kentucky, tornadoes in Western Kentucky and inflation. He said they still need 2,500 coats to meet this year’s goal.

“In order to get more attention, to get the drive into more people’s purview, I decided to do this 50 hour walk for warmth where I walk the streets of Lexington just raising awareness for our coat drive,” said Carama.

We've secured over 2,000 but we have 2,500 more to purchase in order to reach our goal! My journey today is ALL about raising awareness in the hopes that those made aware will engage to help us meet the need this winter, so that every Kentucky kid that needs a coat has one. (2/5)
— Devine Carama (@DevineCarama) December 10, 2022

“I try to hit a combination of underserved neighborhoods and communities to kinda bring home to them and let them know that I’m out here fighting for you but then today, I’m in more affluent areas. Getting the eyes of those that have the ability to give and help,” said Carama.

Tuesday is the final day to donate to the coat drive. To donate, visit the Believing in Forever website.

Personal or business checks can be made payable to “Believing in Forever Inc.” and dropped off in the mail slot at 209 Castlewood Drive in Lexington.

“We need more love so hopefully when people see me out here today, that’s what they remember. That’s what they think of and then they go back home and say, ‘okay how can I give back? What can I do?’ and that’s what I hope people get out of seeing me out here,” said Carama.

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