“I see most of these kids everyday and I just love that we can give back and put a smile on their face,” said Director of the Friendly House, Terry Conard.
The Friendly House held their annual Coats for Kids Giveaway on Saturday, November 4. “We have been doing this for a number of years. I have been director for the past eight years and I know the Friendly House has been putting this on for at least 20 years,” said Conard.
Coats for Kids allows members of the community to come and receive coats. Coats are available to babies, toddlers, young children, and adults. Along with coats; hats, scarves, and clothes are available, too. “The clothes are donated and a lot of the scarves are actually handmade,” said Conard.
Friendly House partners with Swan Cleaners in Mansfield, Mansfield Kiwanis Club, and, for the first time this year, the Richland County Foundation. Each organization contributes in their own way.
“Swan Cleaners helps us by repairing coats that might have lose buttons and they also clean the coats for us,” said Conard. “The Richland County Foundation is new this year. The Richland County Foundation and the Mansfield Kiwanis Club donate money for the purchase of new coats,” said Conard.
This year, the the program was different than those from previous years. “We decided to just do the event for the day. We used to do it for two weeks, but this year we thought we would try this,” said Conard.
“However, we will continue to give coats away throughout the year. Last year, we gave about 1,500 coats away. Our main focus is the kids, but we do have adult coats available, too.”
Other staff members of the Friendly House join Conard in helping with Coats for Kids. Sarah Tokos has been working with the Friendly House for 10 years and has been a part of Coats for Kids every year. “It is so great to see the kids light up with confidence when they get a new coat,” She said.
Mansfield resident, Eugenia Au, participated with Coats for Kids the first time this year. “I have three kids and it is great because I can get their winter coats for them,” said Au.
“I just love seeing the looks on these kids’ faces when they get these coats. It’s something new and it’s theirs,” said Conard.
“I just love seeing the looks on these kids’ faces when they get these coats. It’s something new and it’s theirs,” said Conard.
