Letter to the Editor

Coats for Kids continues to meet community need

Thursday, December 15, 2016

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission, we would like to thank the many individuals, businesses, organizations and the Putnam County school communities that contributed to the success of our 17th annual campaign.

Thanks to the generosity of so many, over 400 coats and jackets were distributed on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Harris Hall at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Words cannot begin to express our sincere appreciation for what your donations meant to the children you’ve helped be prepared for the cold and wintry months ahead.

We are grateful for the many partners that continue to be a part of this effort each year: Kappa Delta Phi Sorority for dedicating their time and energy in decorating our “yellow boxes,” all the locations across Putnam County that serve as collections sites, Ray’s Trash Service for their annual donation of boxes that are used for coat collections; and a sincere thank you to the Homemakers Extension Club for its continued support in facilitating the use of Harris Hall. To DePauw University Printing Services for providing the flyers each year, Teena Bryant and the staff of Ascena Retail Group who help provide coat racks and White Cleaners, what an outstanding job in making sure all coats are laundered and readied for distribution, you are the greatest.

To those who financially support our efforts, ensuring there is inventory available throughout the winter season, we say thank you: United Way of Putnam County, Mary Allison’s Children’s Trust Fund (Jim Jackson and Carol Emery); Judi Scheer, Kelly Robertson, Homemakers Extension, Maxine Williams and Cloverdale High School National Honor Society.

Congratulations to the following that participated in our annual school competition, we are proud to announce we have three very deserving winners: Fillmore Elementary for the best decorated box, North Putnam Middle School for the best video promotion of the campaign and Tzouanakis Intermediate for the most coats collected. Traveling plaques have been presented to each school.

Ultimately it’s not about which school wins or loses, but the numbers of children we’re helping.

And to our wonderful volunteers your service is always appreciated: Jana Brothers, Carol Emery, Sue Murray, Sherry Cash, Dominique Gibson, Nancy Holsapple, Amy Felling, Josh Richardson, Josh O’Neal, Patti Harmless, Allison Creekmore-Long, Lora Busch, Katie, Sarah, Grace and Paula Fry, Anna Harmless and Kelly Robertson.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and prosperous start to 2017.

On behalf of the children of Putnam County, thank you.

Linda Merkel

Coats for Kids Annual Campaign

Putnam County Youth Development Commission