Autumn Havrilesko of Butler looks through the bins of free children's clothing Friday during the ninth annual Bundle Up Butler. Hundreds of coats were given away at the event held at the Butler City Farm Market.

Tables stretching two-thirds of the length of Butler City Farm Market struggled under the weight of mountains of winter coats of every size, style and thickness on Friday, as those who might have otherwise shivered this winter delightedly made their selections.

More than 250 people in need of warm winter apparel were lined up at the doors when the ninth annual Bundle Up Butler began, said project coordinator Jean Bowen.

Bundle Up Butler hosted people from tots in strollers to the elderly. People searched through more than 2,500 new and used coats, hats and gloves with a program volunteer, who served as their personal shopping assistant.

Each client who arrived at the event received an extra large shopping bag donated by Boscov's as well as a chance to win a gift basket. The baskets were provided by various community resource organizations that also attended the event to distribute literature.

Bowen said more than 500 coats were given away in the first two hours of the event.

“Our coats are meant for children and senior citizens,” Bowen said. “Those who fall between are asked to give a donation.”

She said Bundle Up Butler is widely advertised to impact the largest number of disadvantaged residents possible.

The Butler Collaborative of Families' 40 nonprofit groups distribute Bundle Up Butler flyers, as do almost all other human services organizations in the county.

Bowen said it's hard to describe the feeling she gets as the coats are selected by the clients.

“When we first open the doors, I feel like it's Christmas,” Bowen said. “We can make a difference.”

The coats are collected through donation drives at churches and schools, as well as through individual donors.

Local companies use creative means to collect money to donate to Butler County Bundle Up for coats, Bowen said.

A local bank has a program in which employees can pay to wear jeans on Friday, The bank then matches the amount raised by the employees and sends a check to Bundle Up Butler.

A group of knitters from various churches in Butler not only created hats, but included with each one a tag with a short message like “Be safe and warm this winter” or “Wear this hat in good health this year.”Several bins of free infant and toddler clothinwere also available.Bowen said the success of the drive each year speaks volumes about the caliber of individuals who live and work in Butler County.“When you have a need, people come through,” she said.She advised donors that the first coats to disappear each year are boys' coats and men's sizes 2X to 5X.Tanarra Graham of Butler tried on several coats before landing on a black Gloria Vanderbilt as her 3-year-old son, Zain, went with Bowen to get a cookie.“It's definitely an important resource for this community,” Graham said of Bundle Up Butler.She said many free clothing venues have shut down in recent years, making Friday's event even more imperative.“A lot of people would have a pretty rough winter without this event,” she said.Angela Walter has volunteered at Bundle Up projects in Butler and Kittanning for six years. She served as a shopping assistant on Friday.“I grew up in a big family and we were a little less fortunate and a lot of people took care of us,” Walter said, “and this is my way of giving back.”She also praised local people for their generosity.“Butler is a giving town,” she said. “It's good to see so many good-hearted people.”Volunteer Ron Weleski praised Bowen and the many charitable county programs she leads and participates in.“She's so giving, outgoing and warm,” Weleski said. “When you meet Jean, you're with her forever.”

People ranging from tots in strollers to the elderly received new and used coats, hats and gloves Friday.