This winter your family can keep families and children in your community warm by sharing (actually giving away!) winter wear that is in great condition but just doesn't fit your family any more. New and gently used winter coats, fleeces, winter boots, hats and mittens are always in demand. New items, especially hats and mittens are always appreciated.
Materials Needed:
New or gently used:
Coats
Jackets
Fleeces
Sweaters
Boots
Scarves
Hats
Mittens
Steps Involved:
- Connect with an agency that can use your winter wear, such as homeless shelters, low-income pediatric clinics, youth shelters, transition homes, and women's and children's shelters. Some schools or community centers might have a “family clothes closet” or know of an agency that provides clothing free of charge to children.
- Ask the agency what it will accept. Will they take gently used coats, boots, fleeces, sweaters, hats and mittens? Are there certain items that must be new?
- Search your closets. Wash all items. Do not give coats or any other items with broken zippers, rips or stains.
- Think about doing a neighborhood drive or teaming up with family friends to collect items. Your family can make flyers (list the receiving agency) and designate a pick up date. List the items that you need and that all must be clean and in great condition. No rips, stains or broken zippers. You can attach the flyer to a large plastic bag. Neighbors can deliver the items to you or if appropriate, you can ask them to leave the items wrapped securely in a plastic bag and labeled “FamilyCares Winter Wear Share” outside their door.
- To see if there is an existing coat drive in your area visit One Warm Coat at www.onewarmcoat.org.
- Deliver your items to the agency.
