COBOURG — The annual Coats for Kids drive seeks winter clothing items that could help keep children warm this winter.
Coats for Kids gets gently-used coats, boots, hats, scarves and mitts to children in the community. Donations are accepted from Sept. 25 to Oct. 6 at numerous locations.
Starting 22 years ago with 75 coats, the drive now also distributes more than 1,000 hats, mitts and scarves to children in need. Local dry cleaner owner Rod Baker started gathering coats when he noticed two children without proper winter coats shivering outside a Cobourg school.
The coat drive is a collaborative effort of several volunteers and sponsors, with the Salvation Army handling the distribution of the winter gear. This year, three new supporters came on board — Tim Hortons Cobourg/Port Hope, Northumberland United Way and Community Care Northumberland. Tim Hortons is offering a $2 gift card for each children’s coat donation.
Clean, winter gear with working zippers, in good condition with no tears will be accepted. Donated coats will be cleaned at Baker Cleaners and boots sanitized at Beebe Boot Shop Ltd.
Donations will be accepted from Sept. 25 to Oct. 6 at the Port Hope and Cobourg Clinics.
Coat distribution will run from Oct. 9 to Oct. 27 at the Salvation Army Cobourg office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.; on Saturday, Oct. 21 from noon to 4 p.m.; or at the Port Hope office on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.