A countywide coat drive — Warners’ Warm-Up — is under way.
Now in its third year in Franklin County, the drive runs through Nov. 14.
Area businesses and schools are serving as collection sites for the drive.
People are encouraged to donate new or gently used winter coats, according to Keith Whittemore, local organizer.
The coat drive is a project of retired two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda. Since its inception 12 years ago in the St. Louis area, the drive has distributed over 150,000 coats.
Here is the complete list of coat drive locations.
Public Drop-Off 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 Drop-Off 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.
Whittemore said winter coats of every size, shape and color are needed, with the greatest need for children’s coats.
“This year’s goal is 2,000 coats, which would be a new record,” he said. Last year, approximately 1,200 coats were collected.
The coats will be distributed by area agencies to those in need.
The coats will be sorted for distribution Saturday, Nov. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Washington Presbyterian Church.
“We could use all kinds of help with this effort,” said Whittemore.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the sorting should email whittemore.keith@gmail.com or call 314-629-8448.
Agencies that will help distribute coats include:
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.
