Delbert and Rachelle Hart were grand marshals for the Piedmont Christmas Parade Saturday. They are the founders of Appalachian Ministries of the Carolinas. Eleven years ago they began collecting items for warmth and food for those in need in the Appalachian Mountain region. Each year the Harts and many other people from our area collect items to donate to Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia and other areas in need of assistance. They make several trips each year to different states to deliver items donated to the ministry. They also donate items to local ministries, the homeless, women shelters, adult recovery centers and families here in our area. Donated items include blankets, jackets, coats, caps gloves, baby items, toys personal hygiene items, food and school supplies.
