As a young student at Woodmore Elementary, LaDarius Price saw what it was like to not have everything needed for success. While he said he was an only child who did not personally experience that lack, the same was not true for many of his classmates.
For the 70 percent of the school's 332 students who are deemed "economically disadvantaged" by the state Department of Education, things most people consider essentials - such as winter coats - are unaffordable luxuries.
For the past four years, Price has been working to change that.
"It's hard for a child to come to school and be educated when they're standing at the bus stop cold all morning," he said, referencing the external factors that school assessments can't account for. "It's a coat, but they deal with so much more."
Through his Placing Emphasis Around Kids nonprofit, he hopes to "stand in the gap" to help meet as many of the students' needs as possible, offering donations of winter coats as well as mentorship, help purchasing college books, free basketball camps and more.
In the organization's first year, he gifted 20 brand-new coats to students at his alma mater. The next year, thanks to the support of the community, he added Orchard Knob Elementary, doubling the donation to 40 jackets. The impact doubled again in the third year, when he made donations to four schools.
This year, the number of donated jackets jumped 400 percent, giving the gift of warmth to 300 students at 12 schools.
"If I have anything, I don't care if it's my last, I can't see a kid go without," Price said - which means he has a big goal. "My goal is to support every elementary school in Hamilton County [with winter coat donations]."
To donate or become involved with P.E.A.K.'s outreach, connect through Facebook at tinyurl.com/PEAKChattanooga.
Email Jennifer Bardoner at jbardoner@timesfreepress.com.