StoryPoint Cedar Falls resident aims to donate 50 or more winter coats to local children each year
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — October 30, 2026 — For 79-year-old Michael “Mike” Norris, a resident of StoryPoint Cedar Falls, giving back has always been a way of life. Each year, as temperatures begin to drop, he sets out on a familiar mission: collecting dozens of warm winter coats for children served by the Boys & Girls Club. He started the tradition with his wife, Carolyn, more than five years ago, and he remains determined to continue it.
The idea began during an ordinary shopping trip to Sam's Club. When Mike and Carolyn spotted racks filled with winter coats, they looked at each other and had the same thought: Why not buy some for children in need? They purchased several coats that day and continued buying more each year. What started as a simple act of kindness became an annual tradition, with the couple also donating sweatshirts to help keep children warm.
For Mike, giving back was always something he and Carolyn did together. The two had known each other since fourth grade and eventually married, sharing 53 years as husband and wife. Whether supporting food banks, donating to Toys for Tots, or finding new ways to help neighbors in need, generosity was woven into their life together. “My wife and I have always been givers,” Mike shared. “Carolyn didn't like to take credit for all the good things she did.”
Today, Mike continues their tradition with the same enthusiasm. His goal is to donate at least 50 coats each year, often buying them months in advance and collecting as many as he can store. His children help with shopping and deliveries, while residents and team members at StoryPoint Cedar Falls have also stepped in to lend a hand. The community provides extra storage space, helps collect coats, and coordinates deliveries to the Boys & Girls Club. Fellow residents have contributed coats, too, turning Mike's personal mission into an opportunity for others to give back.
This year brought a particularly meaningful milestone. For the first time, Mike toured the Boys & Girls Club, met Director Nisha McNeil, and learned more about the children and families who benefit from the donations. He explored the reading room and gym, met team members, and saw firsthand the welcoming environment the organization provides. “If I was a kid, it looked like a place I would like to go and feel comfortable,” Mike said.
For the StoryPoint Cedar Falls team, supporting Mike is about more than helping deliver winter clothing. It's about honoring what matters to him and encouraging the spirit of generosity that he brings to the community.
“Mike's dedication reminds us that making a difference doesn't have to involve grand gestures,” said Sarah Strickler, Life Enrichment Director of StoryPoint Cedar Falls. “Even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. His generosity inspires others in our community to find ways to give back and support one another.”
As another Iowa winter approaches, Mike is already doing what he does best: finding coats, making room for more, and thinking about the children who will wear them. Because for Mike, a warm coat is more than protection from the cold. It's one more way to carry forward a lifetime of kindness. At 79, Mike Norris continues a tradition of giving he started with his wife over 5 years ago.
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