MOUNT VERNON — As cooler weather moves into the area, now is the time to clean out and donate used coats.
A partnership started 23 years ago, the Kiwanis Coats for Kids used coat collection drive runs every October thanks to Gault’s Cleaners, members of the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon, Printing Arts Press, area collection sites and generous coat donors.
Since the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon started the program, more than 13,500 used coats have been collected, cleaned for free by Gault’s Cleaners and donated back to Knox County residents through Interchurch Social Services and The Salvation Army.
A record 864 coats were collected and distributed in 1994. Last year, more than 720 coats were received.
“Coats are most needed for young children, so let’s all make a special effort to secure enough coats so our county’s little ones will be warm this fall and winter,” said Robert Drews, president of Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon.
Area residents are encouraged to clean out closets, have children try on coats from last year to see if they still fit, and donate coats that are in good condition. Coats should be dropped off by Oct. 31 to any of the following locations: Gault’s Cleaners, all Mount Vernon City Schools, all Knox County schools, the Knox County Service Center, New Hope Early Education Center, all First-Knox National Bank branches, Sanoh America, United Way of Knox County, Peoples Bank branches, The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon, Gardner Singer-Oreck, Health Source Chiropractic and Griffin Insurance.
