It is October, and that means it’s time for the Elks Coat Drive for Kids. Elks members Ernie Truex and Rich Carroll recently joined Linda Bolton on 1490 WDAN’s Newsmakers program. They mentioned that just two years ago a record 557 coats were donated. And Ernie Truex says, preparations begin early.
AUDIO: Basically we start in early August, getting our sponsors set up, and who’s going to get our coat boxes and things. And from there we have almost 16 different agencies that collect our coats.
Rich Carroll says…yes, they need coats for small children, but don’t forget the older kids as well.
AUDIO: I know that they have some teenage size clothing at Fair Hope; we forget sometimes that these quote “kids” can be the size of adults when they’re 15 or whatever.
The coats are then distributed by Fair Hope Children’s Academy, now located at 1225 East Voorhees, and Board Member Lou Reik gives us some important appointment time information.
AUDIO: We are open for clients on two days; Mondays from 10 until 4, and Thursdays from 10 until Noon. Our clients make appointments; they are referred to us by social workers, social service agencies, pastors at churches, those folks. And it is on a scheduled appointment basis.
The David Palmer Center and Vermilion County Bobcats are sponsors this year, and that’s one place you can find donation barrels for new and slightly used coats. Speedy Quick Print is another location, they did the signs this year. Then there’s Starcrest and Custom Care cleaners, who are also helping clean the coats if need be. They can also be dropped off at Schlarman Academy North and South, Ridgeview Baptist Church, St Paul’s St James, 1st Presbeterian and Holy Family Churches in Danville, St. Mary’s Church in Westville, along with Auto Zone on Lynch Road, Dawson Logistics, and Arconic.
