Program collects coats for children

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By Christina McNamara | Monday, November 13, 2006 1:15 AM CST | () comments

As a cold snap moves into the Quad-Cities, hundreds of area children don’t have a warm coat on their backs to wear to school.

The Dr. David E. Lane Memorial Coats for Kids program is in full swing, trying to collect used and new coats, and at least 1,000 more coats will be needed to fulfill requests.

Last year’s record-breaking number of requests left the inventory low, and the need for coats is expected to be high again, said Pat Kirkland, a Coats for Kids committee member and head of information and support services for Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency.

“Nov. 15 is the date when we really start worrying if the snow flies and we don’t have coats to meet kids’ needs,” Kirkland said.

With colder weather already here and winter quickly approaching, the campaign expects to see a spike in demand for the coats soon.

“There are pockets of kids that don’t have any basics. Some come in to pick out a new coat, and it makes you want to cry. It’s an opportunity they’ve never had,” Kirkland said, adding that the program desperately needs coats in children’s sizes 6-12.

Karen Farley, communications director for the Davenport Community School District, says children who can use the coats are identified through conversations with school guidance staff, nurses, shelters and others.

“We have people say they watch the kids next door every day only wear light coats, and they’re all huddled up,” Farley said.

Donations of winter coats, new or used, may be taken to any Burke Cleaners location in the Iowa Quad-Cities. The greatest need is for coats in children’s sizes, but coats in infant, toddler and adult sizes are welcomed as well. Cash donations also may be made.

The coats are distributed to children in nine school districts. Over the past four winters, more than 6,000 coats have been given to those in need.

In its eighth year, the Coats for Kids program is operated by volunteers from participating schools, businesses and the Mississippi Bend AEA.

The Coats for Kids program is named after Lane, who was a Davenport School District administrator and member of the charter Coats for Kids committee at the time of his death in 1999.

How to help

Donations of winter coats, new or used, may be taken to any Burke Cleaners location in the Iowa Quad-Cities. The greatest need is for coats in children’s sizes, but infant, toddler and adult sizes are welcomed, too.

Monetary donations can be made to Coats for Kids, in care of Davenport Community Schools Foundation, 1606 Brady St., Davenport, IA, 52803.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.