Letter to the Editor

Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt, Executive Director, United Way of Mower County

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone in the community who donated towards the Community Outerwear Drive for Kids. Thank you to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Westminster Church, Kiwanis Early Risers Club and the Austin Police Department for their generous financial donations. We thank the many individuals in Mower County who made donations, whether they were coats or financial contributions.

This year, 364 children from 146 families received much needed winter coats and other outerwear items.

We would also like to thank Oak Park Mall for the use of a store and all its help during distribution; the YMCA, Accentra Credit Union, Home Federal Savings Bank, IMS, Pacelli Schools, Grand Meadow Schools and US Bank for being collection sites; Hormel Foods for having an internal coat drive; The Cedars and the women of Our Saviors Lutheran Church for donating hand knitted hats, scarves and mittens; the Welcome Center, SEMCAC, Parenting Resource Center and the Salvation Army for being in-take centers; Younkers and finally our volunteers who came and provided much needed help in sorting, displaying and distributing coats to kids.

As you can see, this was a true community effort and we thank all of you for your part in making the coat drive a success and helping kids stay warm this winter.