Annual 'Coats 4 Kids' drive starts Monday

MOSES LAKE - The Rotary Club and Cedar Street Cleaners are soliciting donations of new children's coats and used coats in good condition as the organization kicks off its annual Coats 4 Kids drive Monday.

Donation boxes will be out through Oct. 13 at Moses Lake businesses, including Samaritan Healthcare, the Pioneer Medical Center pharmacy, Cedar Street Cleaners, Columbia Glass, Staples, Sterling Bank and the Columbia Basin Herald. Distribution will be Oct. 27 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Chief Moses Middle School cafeteria.

"All coats are needed, all sizes are needed," but the sizes most in demand are boys and girls, 6 though 8, said Dave Campbell, one of the organizers. The club is also looking for donations of adult coats for middle school and high school students, Campbell said. Cedar Street Cleaners cleans all used coats prior to distribution.

The club usually distributes approximately 600 to 700 coats each year, Campbell said. "We'll have no coats left over," he said "Every coat that's donated will be given out at no cost to a local family." Usually all coats are given away, Campbell said, but if any are left, they will be donated to local community service organizations.

The Rotary Club also accepts donations of sweaters, mittens, hats and scarves, and distributes them with the coats, Campbell said.

People who want more information can contact Campbell, 509-793-9647.