Coats for Kids drive underway

Fall is in the air; temperatures are dropping. Do you know there are many children and youth in need of winter gear, right here in the Eagle Grove School District and Wright County? 

 

Funny thing, children never grow smaller! We have two similar, coordinating opportunities to help keep them warm. 

 

First, Upper Des Moines is hosting Coats for Kids. You'll find small info boxes at the area banks and on bulletin boards at convenient stores; you can take a pink (girls) or blue (boys) paper coat, and purchase the size a qualifying child in Wright County needs. You pick, pay, and drop off at the Upper Des Moines office before October 20. They distribute them. Monetary donations are also appreciated directly to their office, 221 W Broadway, Eagle Grove.

 

Because Upper Des Moines has parameters they must follow — the most important one to know is that these coats must be new, with tags. No exceptions. 

We also know there are many additional school-age kids who need coats, snow pants, boots, hats and mittens. We realize they may not qualify under Upper Des Moines guides…but their families can use help. Many of these parents are working 1 or even 2 jobs, and can only stretch their dollars so far. Winter gear is expensive. We also know many families have really great winter gear that’s been outgrown. 

 

Enter The Closet! This small, virtual group (sponsored by the Eagle Grove Area Ministerial Association) is wanting all kids to be kept warm, so The Closet is going to fill in the void. There’s no physical location, BUT we have a temporary collection space. 

 

To drop off your new, OR newly-new, gently-used winter gear for The Closet, we’ve set up a drop off location in downtown Eagle Grove located at 214 W. Broadway (Building next to Ben Franklin).  It will be open only October 10th, 12th, 14th, 17th, & 19th, from 5-7 pm. The local churches will also receive your Closet winter-gear on Sunday, October 11 & 16, when they are open. If you’d prefer to give a financial gift, checks to The Closet can be mailed to Samuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 393, Eagle Grove and will help fill in the gaps.  

 

Upper Des Moines items must be new; The Closet is giving you an opportunity to clean closets, or purchase new items, and help someone else.  We ask that everything used be freshly laundered, fully -functional, and only children's sizes.  We are only taking coats, snow pants, boots, and new hats, and gloves. The Closet is virtual; it’s in and out…and we have no storage for boxes or bags of other clothing, no matter how nice.

 

You have several options to help local children and families. 

 

1.) new coat you purchase via Upper Des Moines Coats for Kids – tags at banks and other places; deliver to Upper Des Moines

2.) make a financial gift for The Closet or to Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc.

3.) bring brand new, or nearly-new, freshly-laundered kids coats and gear to the locations and at the times specified above for The Closet. 

  Whichever you choose, picture the smile on a child’s face and the warmth in your own heart as you make a difference.