A local community comes together to collect coats for needy children this past winter, and now that the event has come to a successful close, they've honored the woman they say led the drive.

We introduce you to Helen Edwards in this week's Hometown Hero.

"Holiday time was approaching, and we were just discussing it in the office one day that we'd like to do something for the communities," said Edwards.

Edwards works at Southern States in Hart County, and she, along with other employees, decided to start a coat drive.

They immediately began speaking with different school districts.

"Told them what we had in mind because we had no idea when we started from zero dollars, we didn't know how much we'd be able to collect," said Edwards.

Between coats purchased by monetary donations and a few more coats that were donated to the drive, they collected 407 coats total.

"So and so's having a sale or this one's having a sale, and he's say get there," said Edwards. "So I'd drop everything, and I went out and we purchased coats by a van load. (laugh)"

With the large number of coats they were able to purchase, they ended up donating coats to children in Hart, Barren, Caverna, Metcalfe, and Edmonson school districts.

"Helen saw a need out there, and the type of individual that Helen is, she didn't wait for other people," said Eric Walton, a co-worker and friend of Edwards. "She grabbed the bull by the horns and took initiative. Started a donation box, contacted local merchants, got the ball rolling, and got some coats to some needy kids."

This week, the Hart County Fiscal Court honored Edwards with a proclamation for all of the work she put into the drive.

"Helen's a leader, and a lot of good people got behind her and pushed the project," said Walton. "It really turned out great."

"The community just responded," said Edwards. "It was absolutely the most rewarding event I've experienced at this store, and it took all of us to work towards that project."

Edwards says they are so pleased with this year's drive, they plan to make it an annual event.

We honor Helen Edwards as this week's Hometown Hero.