Event keeps children warm during winter
Community groups in Butler have already started planning for winter by hosting an annual coat drive.
The Bundle Up Butler event Tuesday gave away more than 600 coats to children at the Farmers Market on South Chestnut Street.
“It's a great event,” said Jean Bowen with Center for Community Resources. “We've clothed many little kids.”
This was the third year the clothing drive has been a one-day event.
It is a joint effort of community resources, Butler Health Services and Butler Collaborative for Families.
A number of other service agencies were in attendance to offer information on resources available in the county, while other businesses made financial contributions to the event.
Linda Thoma with CCR said parents who could not find a coat that fits for their child at the event, or those who missed it, can contact CCR to get another coat when it becomes available.
“They can call or stop by,” she said. “But it's better to call to make sure there is a coat available.”
The several hundred coats are collected through a variety of sources, ranging from donation drives at schools to community groups buying new coats.
“We have people go to the sales after the (winter) season,” Thoma said. “We have a wonderful community helping out.”
A limited number of adult coats also were available for a $5 donation.
Bowen said the main focus of the event is to see that children are warm this winter.
“We make sure every child gets a coat,” she said.
First Impressions, a division of Butler Health System's Family Services, also provided school-aged children with three sets of winter clothing.
CCR is at 212-214 S. Main St. and can be reached by phone at 724-431-3748.
