Coat drive kicks off Friday night

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
As a kickoff to its 2008 Coats for Kids campaign, the Putnam County Youth Development Commission is collecting coats at Friday night's football game when South Putnam hosts Cloverdale. Pictured at the collection point outside the gate are South Putnam Student Council members Grace Aker, Nathan Welty, Melissa Miles, program coordinator Linda Merkel, council members Sarah Holloway, Seth Bowen and Nikki York.

Representatives of the local Coats for Kids drive are hoping to help keep a lot of children warm this winter.

"Our goal for the ninth Annual Coats for Kids Campaign is to collect 500 coats for the youth of Putnam County," said Linda Merkel, program coordinator. "In an effort to jump start this year's program, South Putnam and Cloverdale High Schools have agreed to participate by accepting donations prior to the start of the football game on Friday."

Those who wish to donate coats should watch for yellow boxes. Representatives will be accepting new or gently used coats of all sizes from infant all through teen sizes.

Financial donations will also be accepted to help in the purchase of additional coats.

Yellow boxes will be delivered on Monday and Tuesday to all elementary and middle schools in Putnam County, including Area 30 Career Center and Ivy Tech Community College. Boxes will also be available at many businesses, offices and organizations, including Greencastle City Hall, Therese Cunningham State Farm Insurance, Co-Alliance/Bainbridge BP, Crown Equipment, Putnam County Courthouse, Putnam County Library, Putnam County Hospital, Wal-Mart Super Center, Kroger, Old National Bank and DePauw Union Building.

Donations will be accepted until Oct. 24. Coats will then be laundered and readied for distribution on Nov. 15 at Harris Hall, located at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Parents will find adequate parking and coats will be displayed according to size and gender.

"Thanks to the generosity of Wal-Mart Super Center, each child will receive a hat and pair of gloves to go along with their coat," Merkel said.

Distribution will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. Any parent unable to come on distribution day can contact the Putnam County Youth Development office at 653-9342 after Nov. 20 to pickup a coat for their son or daughter.

"Without the ongoing support of the Putnam County United Way, Wal-Mart Super Center, Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, and our new partners, Putnam County Extension Homemakers Club and the Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, this program would not be possible," Merkel said. "Thank you Putnam County -- we appreciate you."

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