NEWBERRY — Give, and get, a warm feeling this holiday season. Participate in the Newberry County Coats for Kids Drive.

The Newberry County Recreation Department has once again teamed up with the Newberry County YMCA and the Newberry County School Supply Drive to collect jackets for children in need. For the second year, the coat drive is being held in memory of Donnie Layton who, along with Lake and Jerry Coffey, started the drive six years ago

“Winter weather is starting and people are scrambling to find warm coats to wear. With tougher economic times, we’re finding more people in need of warm clothing,” said chair Gerdi Lake.

Area businesses that are participating are Stokes‐Trainor and Country Clean. County Clean owner David Force has agreed to clean coats again this year. Stokes-Trainor has offered to be a drop off point.

“Newberry County is committed to programs that are in the spirit of giving back to the community during the holiday season. This is an outstanding program, and I ask each citizen of the County to search his or her closets for a coat that will help keep a child warm this winter. We are also accepting warm winter blankets,” Lake said.

The program starts Nov. 19 and continues through Dec. 13. Donors are encouraged to locate gently used winter coats, have them cleaned, and then drop them off at any location listed below. Because kids come in all shapes and sizes, the drive is asking for donations from youth to adult sizes. There is no set number of coats for this year’s Coats for Kids Drive: the goal is to make sure that no child in Newberry County goes cold. Those who want to make monetary donations can make checks payable to the YMCA and drop them off there as well.

Many times children outgrow their winter coats before the coat is worn, and parents are asked to consider donating the coats rather than allowing them to simply take up space in an attic or closet.

“We genuinely want to do everything we can as a partner in our communities, and our ultimate goal is to make sure that everyone who needs a warm winter coat this season has one, even in these hard economic times,” Lake said.

Donors are asked to bring coats that are still serviceable, without anything broken or ripped—and heavy enough for cold weather.

All used items should be recently cleaned and in good condition. Donations can be dropped off at these locations:

• Newberry County Annex

• Newberry County YMCA

• Prosperity Town Center

• Stokes‐Trainor

For additional information please call the County of Newberry Recreation Department at 924‐8328.