Joe Hornaday
The chilly and damp Saturday this weekend likely was not a problem for kids who took advantage of the day’s coat drive at the First Christian Church.
With more than 400 coats to give away for a suggested one dollar donation per garment, it was a busy day for the volunteers and organizers who helped make the day a success. Local sorority Psi Iota Xi, the Greensburg Junior Optimist Club, the Decatur County Community Foundation and the First Christian Church World Outreach program all conspired to help get coats to local kids who need them this time of year.
The leader of the Greensburg Junior Optimist Club Mike Novak explained that about 63 coats were snatched up in the first 20 minutes of the coat drive.
“Another satisfied customer,” Novak said as a child with a brand new coat walked by.
About 95 percent of the coats at the coat drive were new, organizer Beth Wallace noted. When the time is right, Wallace said she scours stores for inexpensive coats, working hard not to pay more than 10 or 15 dollars per coat. When the coats are bought out of season, the prices are very low, she added. Once purchased, the coats are stored until the fall coat drive. However, donations from local charities and individuals also help make the coat drive successful.
As kids tried on coats while their parents helped, Psi Iota Xi president Kathy Davis enjoyed taking in the sight.
“It’s fun to see their eyes light up when they find their coats,” she said.
The suggested one dollar donation per coat will be taken by the Junior Optimists and donated to the Greensburg Decatur County Bread of Life.
Wallace offered a special thanks to the Decatur County Community Foundation, Psi Iota Xi, the Junior Optimist Club and Syd’s Wash and Clean for helping launder 100 coats for the event.
