Distribution begins for annual outerwear drive
Published 7:16 am Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Eight-year-old Austin Williams was happy to see a purple and gold Minnesota Vikings colored jacket lowered into a bag in Oak Park Mall as he received a new coat at the annual Community Outerwear Drive Monday.
The United Way drive was open from the noon to 7 p.m. Monday, and it is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday in Oak Park Mall next to the movie theater.
About 400 children signed up to receive coats — almost double last year.
United Way Executive Director Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt said they were able to find coats for most who signed up. Adults or children who needed larger coats were referred to the Salvation Army.
“This was really, really heavy,” she said. “Last year we serviced 158 kids and then we had some extra coats that we donated to the schools, so we serviced a little over 200 kids. We’ve doubled the amount of kids who have signed up for coats this year.”
In past years, the goal was to provide every child with a coat, hat, gloves and snowpants, with the hope that the parents could then supplement the boots, Lighthizer-Schmidt said. The focus was shifted to coats this year because of the increased demand.
“I personally believe that no child should not have a warm coat in the winter,” she said. “This is Minnesota, and whether they are walking to school because they are not bused or every kid goes out for recess, they should have something warm. We just don’t live in a spot where we have the luxury of not having a coat.”
Snowpants, hats, gloves, scarves and boots are also available, but Lighthizer-Schmidt said those are available on a first come, first serve basis.
The United Way of Mower County and First United Methodist Church started accepting donations Oct. 5. and accepted donations through Oct. 16. However, the United Way didn’t receive enough lightly used coats to meet the need, and had to ask for cash donations to fill in the gaps.
“Luckily people were generous, and we were able to meet the need for coats,” Lighthizer-Schmidt said.
Lighthizer-Schmidt said she wasn’t sure why more people signed up this year. She said it could be the economy, recent cold temperatures, or that people are more familiar with the program since it’s in its fourth year.
Aside from giving away children’s coats, the United Way is also signing up children with Children’s Dental Health Service, a group that goes to schools and public health locations to assist children with dental hygiene.
Matching the children’s needs and the donated coats is no easy task, and Lighthizer-Schmidt said a lot of administrative and volunteer work came together to make the event possible.