Pull out those used coats, but don’t throw them away.

The Mower County United Way is in the midst of its annual winter outerwear drive for kids. Collection for new and gently used winter outerwear for kids has begun and runs through Oct. 18. Coats and other winter outerwear for children can be dropped off at the YMCA or United Way of Mower County. Coats will be distributed from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Oak Park Mall.

“Last year we gave away 430 coats to children in our county who were in need of winter outerwear.” said Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt, executive director of United Way of Mower County. “With everything we’ve seen in other areas of need, we expect the requests to be even higher this year. We want to make sure every child in Mower County has at the very least a warm winter coat. Sweatshirts and jean jackets are not going to keep anyone warm during a Minnesota winter.”

The coat drive began in 2006 and has increased in need every year.