Winter is on its way, bringing with it cold weather that could be harmful to those without the proper attire.

“I think that it’s important to keep our kids safe and be able to go outside and stay warm,” Executive Director of United Way of Mower County Diane Baker said.

Collection for new and gently used winter outerwear for children has begun and will run through Oct. 17. Coats and other winter outerwear for children, such as snow pants, hats, mittens and boots, can be dropped off at the YMCA or United Way of Mower County. Warm winter coats in all sizes are needed. Baker said the drive has helped many children since United Way of Mower County started it in 2006.

“I know in the past couple of years we’ve served around 700 kids,” Baker said.

The Austin High School is also holding a coat drive in connection to United Way’s initiative during the homecoming football game Friday night. Donation bins will be placed at Wescott Field. Baker was excited about other organizations jumping on the bandwagon.

“I think it’s great, there’s a community need and the more people that are aware of the need and work to solve it, the better off we all are,” she said.

Baker expects an increase in requests for coats this year.

“We’re finding this year that our requests are already ahead of where they were last year,” Baker said.

Because of this, they are working with families to give priority to those who have not received coats in the past, but they hope to receive enough coats to cover everyone. They hope community members will donate coats their children have outgrown or are no longer wearing if possible. Baker said the intention is that when they give a coat away, it will come back as a gently used coat the next year. Yet with families passing down coats to other children or coats no longer in good shape, the coats don’t come back. That plus the growing need means there are less coats to go around.

“We live in Minnesota, I think we’re all aware that we have new people moving into Minnesota all the time and they’re not always equipped to handle the weather,” she said. “There’s just more kids that need coats.”

She added that winter attire can be expensive, and families can’t always cover the cost of new coats.
Distribution of coats will be at the Oak Park Mall on Monday, Oct. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Donations can be dropped off at United Way of Mower County, 201 South Main Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Any adult in need of a winter coat should stop by the Salvation Army office to receive a voucher for a free coat in the thrift store.