Coats For Christmas is a great example of the community working together to help out those who are on a tight budget or who are in need and cannot afford a winter coat. Each year we ask many of the area schools and some businesses, organizations, and individuals to collect and donate gently used winter coats. Previously City Dry Cleaning and now City Uniforms and Linens, graciously cleans all of these coats and that is no small task – generally, we collect over 2,300 coats each year. So we thank City Uniforms and Linens for this donation! There is also a goal is to have enough gloves and hats for everyone who comes to collect a coat. In addition, we also collect blankets and socks that are available at our event.

So, on Saturday, December 9th and Sunday, December 10th, the East Branch YMCA will be transformed into a distribution center. People start lining up early, there is always snow on the ground, Christmas music in the air, and lots of smiling faces! Anyone and everyone are welcome at the distribution and each person/family that does come is paired with a personal shopper. Anyone can come get a coat and other winter gear on Saturday, December 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 10th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the East Branch YMCA at 1400 Manor Hill Rd. Findlay, OH 45840.

We will be collecting used coats from Monday, November 27th through Friday, December 1st. The coats can be dropped off at the new City Apparel business location at 116 E. Main Cross Street, which was the prior location of City Dry Cleaning. Coats may also be dropped off at various Findlay City Schools and county school locations, as well as local businesses with donation boxes. If you would like to purchase new coats, hats, mittens, or blankets for the event, then you can drop those off at the downtown YMCA Branch at 300 Lincoln Street in Findlay prior to Friday, December 8th. Indicate when you drop them off that they are new.

So how can you or your business or your organization or your church take part in this event? You can collect coats for us! We ALWAYS need kids’ coats and oversized adult coats. You can buy new mittens, gloves, hats, blankets, or socks? Or you can volunteer to help before the event, during the event, or afterward. Get involved! It’s a great way to clean out your closets, help out those in need, and give back.

If you have any questions regarding this year’s Coats for Christmas Event, then please contact Melissa LaRocco at 419-889-4579 or via email at mlarocco@lawolaw.org
if you would like to sign-up to volunteer for the event then please email jackie baltz at jacquelynbaltz@gmail.com