By Janet C. Wetzel
Enquirer contributor

MASON - It started with a coat. An ordinary blue coat with a hood, lined in gray cloth. But the coat isn't ordinary to Brandi Biser.

It's special. It belonged to her big brother, Zachary, who died at age 16.

To Brandi, 12, that coat represented memories of her only sibling, and reminded her of how family, friends and neighbors helped her and her parents deal with the sudden loss during the sad, lonely holiday season last year.

After coming across Zach's coat a few weeks ago, Brandi decided to use it as a catalyst to make the holiday brighter for others, as sort of a repayment for all the hands that had reached out to her. But she also wanted to do it to honor the memory of Zach, who had often voiced concern that some children had so much while others had so little.

Brandi, a seventh-grader at Mason Middle School, came up with a program she calls "Bundles of Love." She passed out fliers asking for donations of new or gently used winter clothing, toys or other items children need, or money to buy them. "Please be an Angel and support our cause," the flier says. "Did you know that a $5 donation will buy a warm blanket to keep a child warm for a good night's sleep; five cans of soup with crackers to feed five hungry tummies or 50 hot chocolate packets for an after-school treat? With $10 we can buy 10 hats to keep little minds warm, 12 pairs of gloves to keep 120 fingers warm at the bus stop, 14 pairs of socks to help keep 140 toes warm on their walk to school."

Brandi had done her homework, spending hours bargain-hunting to determine where she could get the most for every dollar donated.

Within five weeks, three rooms in the Mason home she shares with her parents, Lori and Jeff Biser, bulged with goods. Brandi washed used items before adding them to the pile.

Her goal was to fill 15 Bundles of Love. She filled more than 25.

The family chose the Warren County Abuse Shelter to receive the gifts, and delivered the bundles in decorated bags last week. Any leftover will go to a homeless shelter or former clients, Mrs. Biser said.

No one who knows Brandi, a straight-A student with perfect attendance, is surprised by her efforts or her success.

"She has a real heart for other people,'' said her science teacher and mentor, Amber Wilder. "She likes everyone. ... She has a heart of gold, she's just an angel.''

Brandi said she's surprised and a little embarrassed that so many people are praising her efforts.

"I was just looking to let others know that there are people out there that care, and to help them'' she said.

She hopes to continue the giving year-around. Some people have already donated spring items, and Brandi has stored them in preparation for a spring clothing drive for the shelter.

"I know the Bundles of Love will mean that some children who don't have much will have a better Christmas,'' Brandi said. "I want kids to know that somebody cares. And I want everyone that donated to know how much it means to the kids. This is just to help others. But it has made our holiday brighter, and it honors my brother's memory.''

Do you know a Hometown Hero ... someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place to live and helping others? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net, or fax to 513-755-4150.