BROOKINGS – As fall temperatures drop, the Brookings Salvation Army’s Share the Warmth coat collection is heating up.
The local organization is collecting new and gently used winter coats, snowpants, boots and winter accessories for children and adults, which will be distributed Oct. 19 at the annual Share the Warmth sharing event at Faith Reformed Church in Brookings.
Donations of winter apparel for both children and adults are currently being accepted at marked locations around town, including JCPenney, Lewis, HyVee, Walmart, UPS, all schools, and many churches and local businesses.
This year’s distribution is especially in need of winter boots for children. These donations will then be collected, inventoried, organized, displayed and distributed by a large team of volunteers.
In 2016, the organization distributed coats to more than 1,000 Brookings area men, women and children.
“It’s an important day; it’s an important thing,” Brookings Salvation Army Chairperson Jennifer Mahoney said.
At last year’s event, she had a view of families leaving and saw a child with a Spiderman hat running through the parking lot so excited, exclaiming, “Mom, I found Spiderman!”
“He was so excited about his hat, which is just the accessory,” Mahoney said. “You know, it’s not the coat. It’s not the boots. It’s not the snowpants. And I just laughed.
“It’s his, first of all. It’s brand new to him. He doesn’t know where it came from or what went into putting this day together. But he got that Spiderman hat, and it’s his. That type of thing is what touches me.”
The Brookings Salvation Army supports Share the Warmth with funding from the Brookings Area United Way and the Salvation Army’s annual bell-ringing campaign, which will begin in November.
According to Mahoney, it only takes about $20 to outfit a kid this year.
“Twenty dollars toward Share the Warmth gives them everything to survive winter. Coat, boots, snowpants, hat, gloves. That’s everything,” she said.
The Brookings Salvation Army began collecting coats for the local Coats for Kids program in 2005 under the leadership of Joyce Wrage and quickly expanded the program.
Mahoney speaks of the example set by Wrage, saying, “To give first. Do I have it? Yes, I will give it.”
Individuals and families in need of winter gear are invited to the distribution Oct. 19 at Faith Reformed Church during the following time slots based on last name:
• 9 -11 a.m.: Q-S
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: T-Z
• 1-3 p.m.: A-D
• 3-5 p.m.: E-H
• 5-7 p.m.: I-L
• 7-8 p.m.: M-P
Selection will be rotated and replenished throughout the day.
To donate new or gently used winter coats, snow pants, boots and accessories, bring your donation to any of the donation locations. Those interested in volunteering for the Share the Warmth distribution can learn more by calling 211 or by visiting the Brookings Salvation Army Facebook page.
