Claims that today’s youth aren’t willing to go the extra mile may in fact be nothing more than scuttlebutt.

Take 9-year-old Robert Kromer, a fourth-grade student at S.S. Palmer Elementary School in Palmerton, for instance.

Robert collected hats, gloves, scarves, and jackets each year over a six-year period to donate to Caring Hearts Clothing Closet along Route 873 in Slatington to donate to Project Warm and Cozy.

“Usually we are there on the kickoff day of the event, but this year we started a little late,” said Robert’s mother, Amanda Kromer. “He wanted to get his entire school involved and spread the word about Project Warm and Cozy.”

Kromer said that together, students from S.S. Palmer collected 312 items between hats, gloves, scarves, and jackets.

This year, in addition to Robert including his school in the collection part of this event, he also decided to include two of his childhood friends from school, fourth-graders Macie Borger and Megan Anthony, to help hang the hats, gloves, and scarves at the hatchery on Main Street in Slatington.

“The hats, gloves and scarves were hung on the fencing at the Springside Fish Hatchery in Slatington,” Kromer said. “The jackets were taken to the main Caring DAM Hearts location on 873.”

Kromer said that when Robert was 2 years old, they witnessed Project Warm and Cozy’s first year by driving down Main Street in Slatington.

“That same year, we met Neice (Denise “Neice Eie” Martinez, founder/CEO/President of Caring DAM Hearts in Slatington) on a bus tour she held and we were informed about Project Warm and Cozy,” Kromer said. “Our family has been connected to this great cause since, and it’s become a very important event for Robert.

“He loves being able to give items that are needed to those in need. He’s grown to be quite passionate about it.”

Kromer said that in speaking with Robert, he has indicated to her that he enjoys helping others, and feels he makes a big difference with the event.

“His goal is to spread kindness, and to get more people involved in giving back,” she said. “There are a lot of people in the world who need help.

“They may be homeless, or they may just be having a hard time. Many times, these situations aren’t by choice, and they may just need a little help for awhile to get them through the hard times.

“It doesn’t cost anything to ask others for items they no longer want, use, or need. It just takes some compassion and a little bit of your time.

“By giving that compassion and time you can potentially change a person’s life. It’s all about caring for others and helping when you can.”