Coats for Kids program expands to include senior citizens
Free Coats to be handed out Nov. 16
November 6, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
Last year, the local Knights of Columbus chapter at St. Edwards Church in Cassville helped over 400 kids in Barry County by giving them free, brand new coats for winter. This year, the program is returning, but with an added twist. Not only will kids get free coats, but senior citizens will also be able to pick up a coat if they are in need.
The project is spear-headed by one of the local knights, Jim Brasel, who set out to make the dream a reality last year after hearing about another chapter hosting a Coats for Kids campaign. The support last year was overwhelming, and this year is no exception.
Brasel said, "A lot of businesses last year said if we could include seniors in this, they would double their donation, and they are really coming through. We anticipate about a 25 percent increase in the use of the program this year."
Just like last year, families will not need to register in advance. If they are children of school age, they will qualify for the program. It will be the same with the senior citizens wanting a coat.
The only difference for a senior citizen instead of a child is the location of the coat pick up.
Brasel contacted area schools to see if they had a way to identify children in need and let them know about the coat drive. Cassville, Exeter, Purdy, Southwest and Wheaton all referred families for the program.
Brasel also contacted Head Start, OACAC and the local police department to let families know who might need the service.
Gail Reed, supervisor for the local OACAC, is in charge of the coat distribution for senior citizens. She said she has been handing out flyers to families to make sure everyone is aware of the opportunity for seniors to get a new coat this year.
All of the coats that will be handed out to kids and seniors next Saturday will be brand new and the proper size. The Knights of Columbus already purchased the coats, and Brasel sought community help to pay for them.
Coats will be handed out this Saturday, November 16. Brasel said, “We have very strict rules for who gets a coat; if you’re a parent and you have a child and they need a coat, you qualify.
“Anybody who shows up with a child and needs a coat, we’ll put a coat on that child.”
The rules are the same for senior citizens. There is no age limit or income requirement to get a coat. Reed said, "It's the same rule: if they need one, they get one. That's it."
Brasel said the only rule is that the child or senior citizen has to be present. If a parent or family member comes without a child or senior citizen, they will not be able to take a coat with them; however, there will be other arrangements. Brasel said, “What we will do is arrange to take the coat to that child’s home.”
Children up to seniors in high school will be given coats on Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Edward’s Church hall at 107 West 17th Street. Senior citizens of any age can pick up their coats at the same time at the local OACAC Neighborhood Center at 700 E. Hwy. 248 in Cassville.
For more information or to donate to the Coats for Kids or Coats for Seniors program locally, contact Jim Brasel at (847) 642-7397 or Gail Reed at (417) 847-2140.
Charlea Estes-Jones
Last year, the local Knights of Columbus chapter at St. Edwards Church in Cassville helped over 400 kids in Barry County by giving them free, brand new coats for winter. This year, the program is returning, but with an added twist. Not only will kids get free coats, but senior citizens will also be able to pick up a coat if they are in need.
The project is spear-headed by one of the local knights, Jim Brasel, who set out to make the dream a reality last year after hearing about another chapter hosting a Coats for Kids campaign. The support last year was overwhelming, and this year is no exception.
Brasel said, "A lot of businesses last year said if we could include seniors in this, they would double their donation, and they are really coming through. We anticipate about a 25 percent increase in the use of the program this year."
Just like last year, families will not need to register in advance. If they are children of school age, they will qualify for the program. It will be the same with the senior citizens wanting a coat.
The only difference for a senior citizen instead of a child is the location of the coat pick up.
Brasel contacted area schools to see if they had a way to identify children in need and let them know about the coat drive. Cassville, Exeter, Purdy, Southwest and Wheaton all referred families for the program.
Brasel also contacted Head Start, OACAC and the local police department to let families know who might need the service.
Gail Reed, supervisor for the local OACAC, is in charge of the coat distribution for senior citizens. She said she has been handing out flyers to families to make sure everyone is aware of the opportunity for seniors to get a new coat this year.
All of the coats that will be handed out to kids and seniors next Saturday will be brand new and the proper size. The Knights of Columbus already purchased the coats, and Brasel sought community help to pay for them.
Coats will be handed out this Saturday, November 16. Brasel said, “We have very strict rules for who gets a coat; if you’re a parent and you have a child and they need a coat, you qualify.
“Anybody who shows up with a child and needs a coat, we’ll put a coat on that child.”
The rules are the same for senior citizens. There is no age limit or income requirement to get a coat. Reed said, "It's the same rule: if they need one, they get one. That's it."
Brasel said the only rule is that the child or senior citizen has to be present. If a parent or family member comes without a child or senior citizen, they will not be able to take a coat with them; however, there will be other arrangements. Brasel said, “What we will do is arrange to take the coat to that child’s home.”
Children up to seniors in high school will be given coats on Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Edward’s Church hall at 107 West 17th Street. Senior citizens of any age can pick up their coats at the same time at the local OACAC Neighborhood Center at 700 E. Hwy. 248 in Cassville.
For more information or to donate to the Coats for Kids or Coats for Seniors program locally, contact Jim Brasel at (847) 642-7397 or Gail Reed at (417) 847-2140.
