Coats for Kids program seeks community support for effort

The Putnam County Youth Development Commission (PCYDC) is requesting community support of its 13th annual Coats for Kids Campaign.

Boxes have been delivered and PCYDC needs help collecting new or gently used heavy winter coats of all sizes -- for little babies all the way through the teen years at the following locations: Ivy Tech Community College, Area 30 Career Center, Walmart Supercenter, Walmart Distribution, TCU, Kroger, Greencastle City Hall, Putnam County Hospital, Putnam County Library, Courthouse and Curves.

Coats that need to be dry cleaned or are damaged cannot be accepted.

Donations will be accepted until Friday, Oct. 19.

"We are very concerned about this year's campaign and feel strongly our donations will be down, and therefore we need our community to help us with this ever-so-important outreach for so many of Putnam County's children," PCYDC Director Linda Merkel said.

No questions are asked of coat recipients. PCYDC simply requests that parents/guardians be prepared to share what school corporation they live in and to make sure their son or daughter accompany them to the event so they can be property fitted for a coat, hat, gloves or mittens.

"Our goal this year is to collect 1,000 coats for the children of Putnam County," Merkel said.

Distribution day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Harris Hall on the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

"We know without the generosity of so many of Putnam County's own this program would not be possible," Merkel said. "A special thank you to all the Putnam County schools that have already worked so hard in collecting coats the past few weeks, but our challenge is not finished.

"Thank you on behalf of the children of Putnam County."

Persons may call the PC Youth Development Office at 653-9342 with any questions.