Community Shows Compassion, Charity Through Coats

For most people, getting a winter coat has more to do with finding the best color or style than having the funds to pay for it.

But for others, a winter coat is a luxury they can’t afford.

For the past 10 years, the Rotary Club of Oswego has been hosting the Coats for Kendall program through the and the Kendall County Health and Human Services office, collecting and donating coats to those in need.

“It continues to get bigger every year,” said Leon Liss, chairman of the program for the Rotary Club. “Last year we collected over 2,300 coats. This year we’ve already collected approximately 300 coats.”

Those who want to donate a gently worn or new coat or warm winter wear such as hats, gloves, scarves and sweaters can bring the items to a box located at a school or local business that is participating in the program through January.

Liss said there is especially a need for men’s winter coats.

“We don’t get a large number of those,” he said. “It seems like men don’t want to give them up, or when they do want to give them up they’re not gently worn.”

He said the economy’s downturn has increased the number of area citizens requesting coats.

“We’ve gotten calls from a number of social services that have never seen the need as much as this year,” he said. “A school in Yorkville contacted us and expressed a need for coats there and then we’ve gotten a request for about 40 coats for a school in Oswego. These times are hard and people appreciate what they can get.”

He lauded the community’s response to the Coats for Kendall program.

“It’s a amazing the generosity people have in these times,” he said. “I can’t believe the quality of the coats we do get. And the numbers continue to go up as far as donations.”

Items can be dropped off at several locations, including Yorkville locations , Hoppers Family Fun Center, , SBI (State Bank of Illinois), , and ; and in Oswego, the , Oswegoland Park District, and the .

In addition, is to benefit Coats for Kendall from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at their offices at 2100 Baseline Road in Montgomery. 

The drive is a community event and all are welcome. A donation gets you in the door and a raffle ticket.