"We've got a little ways to go." More coats needed for annual kids coat drive

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The annual Coats for Kids drive is underway in Decatur and Macon County.

Since mid-October the Decatur and Macon County community has donated gently used and new coats for the annual drive.

"We are so grateful to the community for their donations. They've been checking their closest and getting things out that they no longer need and can pass on," said Barb Blakey, Chief Communications Officer for Dove, Inc.

More than 800 coats have been donated to the Coats for Kids drive, but Blakey said they need at least 2,200 to meet the need.

"We are doing pretty good, but we've got a little ways to go."

All of the coats collected are cleaned and then given to area clothing rooms for families to grab for free. Dove, Inc. clothing room at Central Christian Church served 250 families in the past 4 months.

"We are seeing different kinds of families," said Kathy Walters, RSVP Coordinator. "Of course, children grow fast."

With the prices of groceries and gas increasing, Dove Inc. said families are having to make financial sacrifices.

"Now is the time to donate, because we really would like to get the coats cleaned and into clothing rooms before the weather turns any worse," said Blakey.

Drop-Off Locations

(Oct. 18 - Nov. 30)