Donate to coats collection by Friday

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The Basics for Local Kids program is collecting winter wear now for distribution to kids in Pierce County and surrounding communities.

Clean out the closets! Load up the car! Drop off any size or color coats, snow pants, boots, hats, mittens and gloves at the Ellsworth Public Library or a bank in Ellsworth before this Friday.

Gently used and new outer winter wear items in both child and adult sizes are needed. Please sort out the ripped and stained items; these items actually cost the program money for disposal.

The distribution is aiming to help keep kids warm while they are active outdoors this winter season. Kids ages 0 to 18 living in the county and nearby communities are the target group needing clothing in both child and adult sizes. A distribution day will be held after the majority of the inventory is collected. The program will also fill requests on a case-by-case basis throughout the winter as inventory is available.

Collection bins for this first year are at: Associated Bank – Ellsworth, Bank Mutual – Ellsworth, M&I Bank – Ellsworth and the Ellsworth Public Library during working hours.

Various churches are also participating in the collection.

Financial donations are needed for various sizes of items not donated. Clothing one child in winter wear from head to toe costs on average of $75 - $100 new.

“My last shopping trip for the program consisted of 14 coats, five snow pants and six pairs of winter boots for $125. These items are all gently worn items with mostly name brand labels. If you don’t have items in your closet to donate, please consider a monetary donation, and I’ll make your dollars stretch to keep your neighbor kids warm,” said Coordinator Kim Johnson.

Community involvement is what will keep this program impacting kids in the community while keeping costs down.

“There are lots of great programs asking for financial help so they can provide services to those in need. I’m simply asking you to clean out your closets before considering a financial donation,” said Johnson.

Churches, businesses and groups of friends are invited to contact Johnson at 715-273-6556 or basicsforlocalkids@yahoo.com to arrange for her to pick up donated items. Monetary donations can be mailed to Basics for Local Kids, PO Box 61, Ellsworth, WI 54011.

Information on the winter wear distribution will be advertised near the end of October.

Tags: pierce county, lifestyle, health, school