LETTER: 1,200 donated coats went to area residents

From Marie Klinghagen
for Warm Coats for McLeod Communities

The Warm Coats for McLeod Communities organizers are extremely grateful to all the people who donated more than 1,800 gently used and new coats during the two coat drives in May and September. We distributed 1,200 warm coats in McLeod County last week and we were able to send the balance of coats to Meeker County for their coat drive. The coats not given out there will be sent on through the Salvation Army to distribute in other rural counties in Minnesota.

We also appreciated the cash donations, which allow us to purchase sizes and other outerwear that are still needed as well as sewing materials. Just about everyone was able to find mittens, hats and scarves to go with their coats. We always have more requests for boots and snow pants for elementary age children than we have available.

A continuing need is sewing volunteers, either as groups or individuals to make snow pants, hats and mittens. The Hutchinson High School Sewing Class and McLeod County 4-H’ers have been a great help with these needs as well as several individual sewers and knitters. This has helped keep costs down and do a little more than just provide a warm coat.

We apologize for the confusion over the times of distribution. We know that some people were inconvenienced because of it. We hope that anyone still needing a coat will contact Common Cup at (320) 587-2213 in Hutchinson, or (320) 864-5511 in Glencoe. Any one wanting to help in any way is also invited to contact us at these numbers or contact any of the project organizers.

We were greatly encouraged with more than 100 volunteers who made this coat project happen. We also very much appreciate the collection and storage sites. We thank you all for helping and donating to keep rural Minnesota residents warm.

The Warm Coats for McLeod Communities is sponsored by Common Cup Ministry, Salvation Army, Heartland Community Action Agency, McLeod Social Services, Rotary Clubs of Hutchinson and Glencoe and many area volunteers.