Coats for Kids continues to meet need

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission (PCYDC), we would like to thank the many individuals, businesses, organizations and the Putnam County School communities that contributed to the success of our 20th-annual campaign. Your donations have helped prepare our children and families for the cold and wintry months ahead.

Thanks to your wonderful generosity, over 300 coats, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, gloves and scarfs were distributed on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Harris Hall at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. The weather was relentless and we know many families were unable to brave the rain and cold to visit our location. Therefore, boxes have been delivered to each county elementary school that includes coats, hats and gloves. Should you still have a need, contact your local school community.

A big thank you to our partners that continue to be a part of this community outreach each year: Kappa Delta Phi Sorority (sorting coats), Jack’s Trash Service (new collection boxes), Putnam County Extension Homemaker Clubs (facilitating the use of Harris Hall), DePauw University Printing Services (flyers for all schools), Josh Miller and staff of Ascena Retail Group (use of coat racks) and,Keith Hartzell and staff of the Putnamville Correctional Facility (laundering, boxing and delivery of all inventory).

To the local businesses that participate with collection boxes: Kroger, Putnam County Public Library, Old National Bank, Teachers Credit Union, Putnam County Hospital, Putnam County Extension Office, The Waters of Greencastle, Ivy Tech College, Greencastle City Hall and Heritage Lake (Marianne Novak).

Many thanks to our Putnam County school communities — Cloverdale, Greencastle, and North Putnam and South Putnam — your ongoing support means so much. We’re grateful for the annual financial support from Putnam County Extension Homemaker Clubs, United Way of Putnam County and Kelly and John Robertson.

Our sincere gratitude to our wonderful volunteers: Kelly Robertson, Lindsay Carter, Robert Tomaw, Carol Emery, Renee Marsteller, Sherry Cash, JD Miller, Jamie Mourey, Paula Fry, Angela Patterson, Sue Murray, Patti Harmless, Allison Creekmore-Long and William Merkel, as well as student volunteers Grace Fry, Grace Elmore and Grace Timm.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and prosperous start to 2020. On behalf of the children of Putnam County, thank you.

Linda Merkel

PCYDC – Coats for Kids 2019