While watching continual news coverage about the economic woes in Hampton Roads and the rest of the country, Tyler Zimmerman had a lot on his mind.

“I was wondering what do those people do that don’t have jobs when it gets cold,” he said.

The 16-year-old King’s Fork High School junior wanted to do something to help people in need, and he started collecting his old coats to donate.

“I figured I’d help at least one person out there if I gave them my coat,” he said.

After that night, Zimmerman’s idea to donate his coat grew into a bigger effort, and now, he is working to collect hundreds of coats to donate to families at The Genieve Shelter.

“We thought it would be a good idea before the actual cold season hits, so they could have them prior to and be ready,” he said.

When the teenager told his father, Bryan Zimmerman, about his plan, he got in touch with Suzanne Higgs at the United Way, who was thrilled to help with the effort.

“Anytime someone wants to step up like that on their own is great,” Higgs said.

Higgs suggests the Genieve Shelter as a good organization to donate the coats to because they serve all ages.

“Collecting coats of all sizes really does help them,” she said.

Zimmerman said he was glad he would be able to help a local organization.

“I thought it was a great idea,” he said.

Then, Zimmerman got to work with his collection. He set up donation boxes at King’s Fork High School and the Suffolk Youth Athletic Association soccer fields, where he plays and coaches soccer.

Zimmerman said he is spreading the word among his friends, other students and staff members at his school.

He said he hopes his classmates “think about the people who don’t have the money and can’t go out and get a new coat every year or every 10 years.”

Zimmerman also is asking teachers to encourage their classes to donate and is looking for businesses and organizations that might place donation boxes at their locations.

Bryan Zimmerman said he and his wife, Mindy, are touched by their son’s effort.

“I was really proud of him for stepping up and feeling like he could make a difference,” he said. “If you would have told me years ago my son would think of something like this, I would have said you were crazy.”

“He’s really matured a lot. We’re really proud of him.”

Tyler Zimmerman said he hopes to collect 200 to 300 coats by Nov. 7 — and even more, if he can.

“I like giving back,” he said. “It’s just something I can do to help out.”

Anyone can donate to Tyler’s coat drive by dropping off donations at the boxes at King’s Fork High School or Suffolk Youth Athletic Association soccer fields.

For more information or to set up a collection box, contact Tyler Zimmerman at tjzusa@yahoo.com.