It may be warmer than usual for November, but that doesn’t mean bitter winter weather is far. In light of that, the SCILL Center is extending their coat drive through the second week of December to allow more coats to be donated for those in need throughout the area.
SCILL Center Director Jerry Gurrado said that they set a record last year with 751 coats collected, despite the fact that it was a mild winter. Because a number of coats had been left over, the SCILL Center gave the extra coats to local churches for distribution. Gurrado said it would be fantastic to have that overwhelming support again this year, but he’s got his concerns.
“That would be wonderful, but we also realize, because we made such a push, an awful lot of people may have cleaned out their closets – you know, may have gone back generationally in their closets and that amount may not be there,” said Gurrado. “The problem is, this year, I don’t have as many coats. I’ve got three churches slated for distribution within the next week and I probably don’t have enough coats at this point to be able to service all those. So, if you’re listening, please please please please drop off coats, sweaters. We’ll take snowsuits, gloves, scarves, hats, whatever you’ve got.”
This year, however, Gurrado said they expect a colder winter and the center has gotten a number of local churches involved for distribution. He said they are in desperate need of coats and other warm-weather wear, and boxes have been placed at the Knox High School, Key Bank and Five Star in Knox, as well as Bailey’s Discount Center, Pioneer Florist and Ray’s Super Foods in North Judson. Oregon-Davis High School is also home to a donation box for winter clothes.
Gurrado said they’re fortunate to have Kathy Clees on hand to handle contacting area churches and other locations for distribution. On Dec. 1, coats will be distributed in the basement of the First Christian Church in Knox from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as St. Luke’s Community Church in San Pierre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. On Dec. 8, Knox United Methodist Church will distribute coats from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Other churches in Walkerton and North Judson have expressed interest in distributing the much-needed clothing, but no dates have been set up yet to do so.
Pay it forward this holiday season. Clear out some space in that closet. Donate to the SCILL Center Coat Drive and help keep families warm this winter!
