Clothing the children

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN On Nov. 24, Chief's restaurant and the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosted a benefit for Putnam County Coats for Kids. A portion of Chief's sales for the night were donated to the organization. On Friday, representatives from Chief's and the CVB presented the check to Linda Merkel of Coats for Kids. Pictured are, from left, Sharon Eiteljorge of the CVB, Chief's owner Steve Gaebes, Merkel and CVB director Karla Lawless. Merkel said this has been a record-breaking year in the county, with more than 800 coats and jackets distributed to needy children. "The need is so great this year," she said. "We still don't believe we're meeting the greatest need."