Published: October 12, 2008 12:19 pm         

Indiana ministry warms families with coat drive

Outerwear donations being sought

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — Cooler weather means it’s time to pull on a coat, and organizers for the Coats for Families Coat Drive hope to have enough new or gently used coats to distribute next month.

Paula Willis helps organize the coat drive for the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. The ministry is affiliated with the Veedersburg Nazarene Church, 204 N. Mill St.

“This is our second coat drive,” Willis said. “We did our first last year, and felt compelled to do another.”

Organizers ask that coat donations be neat and clean, and ready to wear.

“Last year we had more help so we could clean and mend some of the coats, but we just don’t have the same resources this year,” Willis said.

Although the drive has been advertised to aid families in the Southeast Fountain school district, anyone in need is eligible to pick out a coat. Families do not need to meet specific financial guidelines.

“How can we turn down someone who needs a coat, but doesn’t live in the school district?,” she said. “Well, we can’t, and we won’t.”

Coats will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1 and 1-3 p.m. Nov. 8 at the church. If other pick up arrangements are needed, call (765) 918-8114 or (765) 294-2842.

Coats can be dropped off now through Oct. 25 at the Veedersburg Nazarene Parsonage, 202 N. Mill St. Coats may be placed in the collection barrel on the parsonage porch at any time day or night. Church members regularly collect the donations.

“We hope to collect about 150 coats,” Willis said. “I know that might not sound like a lot, but it is.”

Last year organizers collected 80 coats, and most were picked up by someone in need. Organizers also distributed hats, gloves and socks. Donations of those items also are being sought.

Willis said the greatest need is for coats for infants and children’s size 10/12.

“We get all sorts of coats, and we hope to make use of them all,” she said.

Judy Keeling, who helps with the coat drive, said, “Our main concern is the community. We are a small church, but we have a loving group who are concerned about what’s going and want to be involved.”

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the coat drive is asked to send it to the church in care of the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 204 N. Mill St., Veedersburg, IN 47987, and marked for the Coats for Families Coat Drive.

Keeling said the ministry plans to assist those in need at Thanksgiving this year.

“We want to show that we care about people and our community. Not just with the coat drive, but with other outreach projects,” she said.

HOW TO HELP

Donations of new or gently used coats can be dropped off at the Veedersburg Nazarene Parsonage, 202 N. Mill St., Veedersburg, Ind., through Oct. 25.