Coats for Kids continues to meet community need

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission, we would like to thank the many individuals, businesses, organizations and school communities that contributed to the success of our 16th annual Coats for Kids campaign.

Thanks to Putnam County's generosity, over 400 coats and light weight jackets were distributed on Saturday, Oct. 31 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 to the many partners that continue to be a part of this effort each year.

Thanks again and again to Kappa Delta Phi Sorority for dedicating time and energy in decorating our "yellow boxes". A special thank you to all the businesses, schools and organizations that serve as collection sites for coat donations. A sincere thank you to the Homemakers Extension Club for its continued support in facilitating the use of Harris Hall and generous financial donations. To DePauw University Printing Services, we generally appreciate your kindness in support of our annual campaign. To Teena Bryant and the staff of Ascena Retail Group who helped provide us with the coat racks. A special thank you to White Cleaners. What an outstanding job in making sure all coats were 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, Cheryl Rhoden, Mary Allison Children's Trust (Darren Hughes) and Lumber Worx Custom Sawing, LLC. We continue to be grateful for the ongoing support of Ray's Trash Service for their annual donation of boxes that we use for our coat collections.

Congratulations to the following that participated in our school competition. We are excited to announce we have four winners this year: Fillmore Elementary (SPCS) for the best decorated box, Cloverdale seventh-grade students (CCS) and Tzouanakis Intermediate (GCS) for the best video and promotion of the campaign, and Roachdale Elementary (NPCS) for the most coats collected. Traveling plaques will be presented to these individual schools in the next few weeks. Ultimately, it's not about which school wins or loses, but the numbers of children we are able to help stay warm.

We must not forget our volunteers across the Putnam County community, including Lyndi Parent, Adri Millican, Dylan Webster, Ainslee Vogt, Ashley Schroer, Logan Vandermark, Grady McHugh, Ava McHugh, Katlyn Rector, Kyler Boyce, Katie Jo Beasley, Kyndra Boyce, Kelly Hayden, Kelly Robertson, Roberta Albright and Rita Reffett.

Last, but certainly not least, to those who have supported us all along the way you are the greatest, such as William Merkel, Paula and Katie Fry, Lora Busch, Sherry Cash, Carol Emery, Dominique Gibson and Patti Harmless.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and prosperous start to 2016.

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