11th annual local Coats for Kids project underway

A team of volunteers made up of students from North Putnam and Greencastle High Schools is looking for a victory in this year's Putnam County Coats for Kids Battle of the Schools contest. Courtesy photo

The Putnam County Youth Development Commission is requesting support of its 11th annual local Coats for Kids campaign, which kicked off on Friday.

"We need new or gently used heavy winter coats of all sizes, little babies all the way through the teen years," said PCYDC executive director Linda Merkel. "We cannot accept coats that need to be dry cleaned."

Donated coats can be dropped off at any Putnam County elementary, middle or high school, Crown Equipment, Greencastle City Hall, Kroger, Old National Bank (both locations), Putnam County Hospital, Putnam County Public Library, The Waters of Greencastle, WalMart Distribution, WalMart Super Center, Teacher's Credit Union or Monical's now through Oct. 8.

This year will mark the initiative's second annual Battle of the Schools, which is set for Friday. Cloverdale has teamed up with South Putnam (winners of last year's competition), and host North Putnam has joined forces with Greencastle for a friendly competition to see which group can collect the most coats.

A team of volunteers made up of students from Cloverdale and South Putnam High Schools won last year's local Coats for Kids Battle of the Schools contest. This year's team hopes for a repeat victory. Courtesy photo

"Even though the teams, fans and community will be looking for a school victory on the field, off the field we're united as one in an effort to provide coats for so many of Putnam County's children," Merkel said.

"What better opportunity is there to promote teamwork than through community involvement?"

The goal is to collect as many coats as possible, while embracing the competition between the two teams.

Roachdale Elementary has earned the honor of Shining Star in collections for the last three years, and their efforts have earned their school an ice cream party and personal visit by the National Night Out Knight.

"We've encouraged all other elementary schools to become involved in this great experience, as they may be selected the next Shining Star school," Merkel said.

The goal this year is to collect over 850 coats for the youth of Putnam County.

"Without the ongoing support of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, F.B. Distro, Greencastle McDonald's, Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Phi Beta Phi Sorority, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Putnam County Homemaker's Extension Club, Putnam County Republican Women's Club, United Way of Putnam County, Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, Wal-Mart Distribution, Wal-Mart Super Center, Putnam County Juvenile Probation and the generosity of our community, this program would not be possible," Merkel said.

Donated coats will be laundered and readied for distribution from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at Harris Hall at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Each child will receive a coat, hat and gloves.

Any parent unable make it to the distribution may contact the PCYDC at 653-9342 to make arrangements to pick up a coat for their sons or daughters.