Barbie’s Message 2022
After two years of not being able to distribute warm items such as coats, jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts directly to some of our North County families in need, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Coats for Kids is again partnering with Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles on the “Day of Giving.” We will be sharing one of the commercial buildings at the Fairgrounds. There will only be one distribution this year, but we will cover the North County as we always have. The distribution will take place on Saturday, December 10 and we will be setting up starting on Tuesday, December 6.
The Rotary Clubs of Paso Robles, Templeton, and Atascadero have joined our 2022 volunteer team and their Collection Box Committees have placed collection boxes throughout the North County.
Our North County cleaners, Plaza Cleaners in Atascadero and Paso Robles and Fashion Cleaners in Atascadero are also drop-off locations for items needing cleaning or refreshing. They clean them free of charge. Just drop them off, say “Coats for Kids” and a committee member will pick them up.
Coats for Kids started 35 years ago as a simple distribution of gently used coats and jackets through Los Niños Auxiliary of Children’s Home Society. I was president at the time (1987) and our members wanted a “hands-on” project. We handed out flyers to the people who received toys and food from another group, and we probably served around 40 people with something warm to wear. Now, we usually distribute some 3,000 items since we cover every member of a family.
Los Niños soon decided not to continue the project and my husband, John, and I continued it. In the last 35 years it has become what we refer to as “a well-oiled” machine. There are hundreds of volunteers involved when you break it down, from the people who donate their gently used or new coats and jackets, to the volunteers who distribute them in December to those who need them.
COVID-19 interrupted our fundraising efforts to purchase some new jackets in sizes where we have a gap, so please consider a monetary donation. For now, you can find the details for sending a check on our Donate page. Soon, we hope to also accept online donations through a GoFundMe campaign.
Please keep Coats for Kids in mind when you go through your closets. Make sure the warm items you are donating are worth passing along to someone in need.
To ALL of our wonderful volunteers — those of you who donate clothing, graciously accept items at our drop-off locations, store our items, help us at our distributions, and our dedicated cleaners, Fashion Cleaners and Plaza Cleaners, who clean items that need it — Thank you! No matter how you choose to donate, remember that warm coats and jackets not only warm the body, but also warm the soul!