From staff reports
For the fourth year Keystone Coats for Kids is starting its winter coat drive.
The first drive was in 2015 and there were 270 coats purchased that year.
This year it would be fantastic if again there could be at least 500 coats purchased because there is such a great need in our area for these warm coats.
In the past three years, coats have been given to the following programs and groups: schools in Clarion County, Allegheny-Clarion Valley First program, Keystone SMILES, Clarion County Promise, head start programs, Clarion County Children and Youth Services, local day cares, Next Step Therapy, Knox Caring Cupboard and Clarion Psychiatric Center. All programs and groups were very appreciative of the coats and hats they received.
To think when this coat drive was started, it was for the children in the Keystone School District. The generosity of our community and as well as people from out of our area to donate like they have is just overwhelming.
Keystone Coats for Kids will continue each year as long as there are people out there willing to give, because unfortunately there will always be children in need of a warm coat.
The sight of the children led Sanford to a local store where he purchased 58 coats which were given directly to children in need. His generosity inspired the creation of Operation Warm and since then millions of coats have been purchased as a result of communities working together to improve the livelihood of children in need.
All coats are fleece lined and have a fleece lined hood. The cost of each coat is $18, but no donation is too small.
Checks can be made out to “Keystone Coats for Kids” and may be mailed to or dropped off at Farmers National Bank, P.O. Box 665, Knox, Pa. 16232 or can also be dropped off at Knox Auto Supply Inc. in Knox or New Bethlehem.
Deadline for donations is Oct. 20. Positive change starts with generosity.