MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club will host its sixth “Coats for Kids” donation drive on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn on Park Avenue West.
The Coats for Kids event includes new and gently used outerwear for kids as well as for adults. Hats, gloves, scarfs, sweatshirts, and blankets will also be accepted.
Tom Conn, chairman of the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club says “the club normally provides financial assistance or manpower assistance to our community projects.
“This project differs in that the membership donates new or gently used articles to help keep the kids warm.
“There are many kids and families that could use assistance in today’s market, and donating a gently used or new outer garment doesn’t take much if any money,” Conn said. “Many area residents have unused coats and the like hanging in the back of the closet. The winters in Mansfield can be harsh.”
After donations are collected, they are taken by club members to the Grace Episcopal Church at Third and Bowman in Mansfield where the donations are counted, sorted, and distributed to those in need by Father Joe Ashbey, Daniel Orr and their staff.
The club is once again inviting the public to participate. Last year several contributors made their way to the Holiday Inn to drop off the outerwear.
The 2014 goal was to provide 100 plus articles of clothing, however the excellent community response exceeded that goal.
The goal for 2015 is to provide 125 items to the Church.
