Coats for Kids 2022 is behind us. That was the easy part. Now here’s the hard part--- saying thank you to everyone who was involved. I’m talking about 4-H groups like Cerro Alto who collected over 150 gently-used coats and jackets. And Plaza Cleaners in Paso Robles and Atascadero along with Fashion Cleaners in Atascadero who donated all the cleaning of gently used coats, jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts. Then how about the North County Rotarians in Paso Robles, Templeton and Atacadero who not only put collection boxes out in the communities, but collected the contents regularly. People like René Tierney and her son Matt collected the items from the cleaners in Atascadero and took them to our storage units at U-Stor-It Mini Storage.

I’m just beginning, because the list goes on. Kim Madden at Tidwell Bookkeeping helps keep the books for us and for our fiscal agent, Atascadero Loaves and Fishes, and the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors answered our request for funds through their Community Project Grant program. Key volunteers, like Paul and Carol Porter, Mike and Diane Schneider, Kent Kenney, Brenda and David May, Virginia Martinez and Ali Bowman, all help to keep things running smoothly. There are many more volunteers who have been with the project for years and some new ones who have joined us, and we thank them all.

Special thanks to Jeanne Robbins, Kathleen Aragon, and Tim Eckles of Atascadero Loaves and Fishes who helped with registrations for the distribution and the Community Project Grant. The local media has been wonderful and thanks go to Camille DeVaul with the Atascadero News, Atascadero Magazine, Paso Robles Magazine, and Central Coast Journal, Kevin Will and Dick Mason at KPRL Radio, and KSBY, for their coverage. The Blueprinter in Paso Robles helped get the word out by printing our fliers and working on our banner.

SLO County Supervisor John Peschong presented a Certificate of Recognition to Coats for Kids for 35th years of serving North County families with warm coats and jackets. John also recognized Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles and presented Amanda Bean, chairman, for their part in the “Day of Giving”. Thanks also go to John’s Legislative Assistant Vicki Janssen for her help with the recognitions.

What I want you to know is that CFK is not just a few people putting on a one day event. It’s an event that involves hundreds of people. People who donate gently used items and take them to the cleaners are all a part of this project. So are the people who work at the cleaning facilities and help out there. The owners of businesses who allow collection boxes in their stores during the months of November and December are also helping out.

We work on Coats for Kids in some manner all year, especially the collection of gently used items. My husband John is a key partner in Coats for Kids and has been for 35 years. We have been blessed to be able to work together on a project that benefits so many people in our area.

Our son, David, is a graphic designer who lives in Paso Robles. He has also been involved for years, and this year he took on the building of our new website. Please visit the site regularly as he will be adding some great pictures of the 2022 distribution. Visit coatsforkidsslocounty.org.

The danger of writing a column like this one is leaving someone out. I assure you it would not have been intentional, and as days go by I’m sure I will be reminded of many of you who helped. So, keep reading this column as I know I will be thanking more volunteers.

It appears that I am running out of space so I will close for now. Please stay warm. And as an ending note, we were able to donate boxes of warm coats and jackets to ECHO at the end of the distribution. So if you donated items, be assured that they will help keep someone warm!

Merry Christmas and Cheers!

Barbie

Atascadero News
Around About North County
December 12, 2022