Tremendous Need in Community for Warm Coats, Hats & Mittens
Hancock Leadership Alumni Association (HLAA) announces dates for the 21st annual Coats for Christmas campaign. Coats for Christmas is a coordinated effort between HLAA and City Dry Cleaning, with support from local businesses, volunteers and service organizations, to provide warm coats for area families as well as hats and mittens for each recipient.
Coats for Christmas continues to be a signature service project for Hancock Leadership Alumni Association, City Dry Cleaning, and ECLIPSE with community support. Each year gently used and new coats are collected beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, collection began Friday, November 27 and will wrap up on Friday, December 4. Coats in good condition may be donated at various locations throughout Findlay including, City Dry Cleaning, Findlay City and Hancock County school buildings, and various area businesses. City Dry Cleaning employees and hundreds of volunteers work donate their time during the week following collection to clean and prepare the coats for distribution the second weekend in December at Glenwood Middle School.
“Without City Dry Cleaning this community event could not take place” explains John Urbanski, HLAA Board President. “City Dry Cleaning donates countless employee hours, cleaning supplies, storage for the coats, and actively promotes the event to their customers and throughout the community. We are very fortunate to have them as our sustaining partner for Coats for Christmas campaign.”
Campaign organizers are stressing the need for children size coats to fit infants through junior high aged children. Warm coats are appreciated as many children walk to school each day. Work coats for men are generally in low supply and high demand. Larger sized (XXL+) coats are also appreciated for both genders. Giving is now easier than ever. Check out our website for a low cost way to donate a NEW coat: www.CoatsForChristmas.org
In addition to coats, new hats and mittens are needed, including adult work gloves. Collecting hats and mittens can be a fun service project for our youth, service organizations or clubs. Hats and mittens may be dropped off at the United Way office at 245 Stanford Parkway, Monday-Friday from 8 am – 5 pm. The hats and mittens collection will be until Noon on Friday, December 11. Organizers strive to provide one new hat and one new pair of mittens/gloves with every coat.
Coats will be distributed at Glenwood Middle School’s gymnasium, 1715 North Main Street. On Saturday, December 12 distribution will be from 9 am - 5 pm. Coats will be available again on Sunday, December 13 from 1 pm - 3 pm. There is no financial restriction for eligibility; therefore anyone in need of a coat or children’s hat and mittens is welcome.
Free shuttle service will be available on Saturday December 12. HATS (Hancock Area Transportation Services) will pick up individuals at their home and take them to the distribution site. Those interested must schedule in advance by calling 419- 423-7261, ext. 3020, on or before Friday, December 11.
Volunteers are still needed to work the distribution weekend, Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13. In the past, families, churches and organizations have chosen to work together on this service project. Shifts are available in as little as two hour increments. Anyone who is interested in volunteering alone or in a group can contact Christi West at (419) 424-0586 or via email at volunteer@coatsforchristmas.org
