On any given day Jo Ann Murphy, director of veteran’s services on the Island, juggles all manner of issues while supporting the 400 to 500 Islanders who have served in the armed forces. This week she’s been asking a particular question: “What size coat do you wear?”

On Tuesday, Ms. Murphy received a donation of winter coats of various sizes and weights. They arrived from the Cape, care of two organizations: Cape Cod Military Support Foundation and the Otis Civilian Advisory Committee.

Earlier in the week Ms. Murphy heard from Robert Reimer, Coast Guard Master Chief at Station Menemsha, that the organizations had a surplus of donated coats. “I asked for a dozen, they sent me 60,” she said.

Now she is working hard to get them to Vineyard veterans in need. “I gave away eight already,” she said on Thursday. To get the word out she has sent emails and made phone calls, and had some help from Dylan Spencer Kenney, who has been working on a photo project, with an exhibit planned for Feb. 3.

“She asked veterans to bring in a baby picture of themselves and then she takes their photo too,” Ms. Murphy said. Ms. Kenney has been contacting the veterans she has recently worked with to ask if they need coats.

Veterans who would like a new coat should contact Ms. Murphy at 508-693-3840 or mvyvetservices@yahoo.com. She is starting her holiday vacation but is setting aside time to meet anyone in need.

“I just need to know their size,” she said.

“It just makes you feel good,” she added, “helping someone who needs it.”