It’s not too late to donate a new or gently used winter coat to be distributed to those in need in the community.
Warners’ Warm-Up, a countywide coat drive, continues through Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Area businesses and schools are serving as collection sites for the drive, now in its third year in Franklin County.
Winter coats of every size, shape and color are needed, according to Keith Whittemore, local organizer. The greatest need is for children’s coats, he said.
The coat drive is a project of retired two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and wife Brenda.
The goal for the Franklin County drive is 2,000 coats. Last year, approximately 1,200 coats were collected.
The coats will be distributed by area agencies to those in need.
Drop off-locations are as follow:
Public Locations — Missourian downtown office, KLPW, Applebee’s, The Creek Grill & Sports Bar, Elks Lodge, Schnucks, Presbyterian Church, RE/MAX Gold First, The Art Center, Walgreens and Look After Hair Company, all in Washington;
Johnny’s Restaurant and Zion UCC, Purschke Oil & Tire Company and Walgreens, all in Union;
Bethany UCC and St. John’s UCC, both in Berger.
School Locations — South Point Elementary, Washington West Elementary, Campbellton Elementary, Fifth Street Elementary School, Clearview Elementary, St. Francis Borgia Grade School and St. Francis Borgia Regional High School.
Private Business (Internal) Coat Drives — Melton Machine & Control Company, Parker Hannifin Corp.-Sporlan Division, Clemco Industries and Sahm Welding, all in Washington.
The coats will be sorted for distribution next Saturday, Nov. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Washington Presbyterian Church.
Whittemore said anyone interested in volunteering with the sorting should email him at whittemore.keith@gmail.com or call 314-629-8448.
Loving Hearts and Pregnancy Assistance Center, both in Washington, Washington Emergency Relief Fund, Agape House of Pacific, Agape House of St. Clair, Trinity SDA, Franklin County Children’s Division, Union Food Pantry and Meramec Mission in Sullivan will all help distribute the coats.
