KOATS for KIDS

(September – December Each Year)

The mornings are getting colder and some of our children in Otero County are without a warm jacket to protect them from the weather. Each year the community participates in the annual “KOATS for KIDS” drive and supplies recycled jackets and coats to needed children. The largest need is for children’s coats, size infant to 12. Individuals are encouraged to drop off a coat that is in wearable condition in one of the drop boxes located throughout the community. These boxes can be found in any of the branches of First National Bank, including Cloudcroft and Tularosa, Lowe’s grocery store in Alamogordo, Comet Cleaner’s and the Base Exchange at Holloman Air Force Base. Children’s coats may also be left at the Fr. James B. Hay Thrift Store or the United Way of Otero County office at 10th and Madison. All donated coats will be collected by volunteers in our community and taken to the Fr. James B. Hay Thrift Store for sorting. Once the sorting is complete coats are cleaned by Comet Cleaners before distribution free of charge at the Fr. James B. Hay Thrift Store, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some coats have already been given out and volunteers working with the program anticipate they will distribute hundreds of coats this weather season. Coats are available now and will continue to be available through the cold weather season or until the supply runs out. All donated coats are distributed at no cost to the children.