MEDFORD, Ore. -- The North and South Medford High School JV and Varsity volleyball teams put their rivalries aside to help collect coats to help keep kids from being cold this winter.

"Growing up I never had to get to experience anything like that," said South Medford JV volleyball player Sabrina Vu. "It just means so much to help them keep warm just like I did."

The idea to get the teams from both schools involved came from South Medford's JV volleyball coach, Tia Khachitphet.

"One of the big things that I've been pushing this year is how do you make yourself better, your team better, your program better, and community better," Khachitphet said. "I think it's important for the girls to learn that there is a bigger picture than just what's going on around them and that there are people in need."

So she pitched helping out NewsWatch 12's Coats for Kids campaign. The South teams sent a message throughout the Medford School District, letting everyone know that they could donate a coat during the JV and Varisty volleyball games aganst North Medford High Thursday evening. They even got the North Medford teams to blast the message as well. The goal was to collect as many coats as possible so all the kids in the region will stay warm this winter. By the end of the games, the signature red Coats for Kids bin was packed full of coats. Two huge bags full of coats even sat next to the bin.

"We got to show what it was like to be one instead of being from two different parts of town. We just came together," said South Medford JV volleyball player Clare Fargason.

"To be able to put a warm coat on someone is fantastic. We know everyone can't always get that. It just feels really great to be able to do that and give back to the community," Khachitphet said.