Modesto Salvation Army keeps kids warm this winter
The Salvation Army in Modesto gave away nearly a thousand coats Saturday to ensure children stay warm this winter in its annual Coats for Kids giveaway.
The giveaway – which took place at the Citadel Corps in downtown – was a little different from the ones held in past years. The army started the coat drive earlier, asked for new coats only and limited its effort to children up to the age of 12. The charity in the past had asked for new and gently used coats and provided clothing for children and their family members.
“It was a good turnout. A lot of people got coats,” Major Kyle Trimmer of the Salvation Army said Saturday afternoon, adding that an exact count of how many received new coats would not be available until later this week. “The rain held off, but it reminded us why we changed and did it earlier this year.”
The Citadel Corps started the drive sooner so it can get warm clothing to children before the start of winter and limited the coats to children because a decline in donations last year left some people without coats. The corps asked only for new coats in keeping with its philosophy of providing the best for those it serves.
Saturday also was sort of an unofficial start to the Salvation Army’s holiday and winter season. The Salvation Army’s winter shelter at Ninth and D streets opens Monday. The shelter has 80 beds for men and 20 for women. It still needs donations of bedding, underwear, socks and toiletries.
The Citadel Corps also needs volunteer bell ringers Nov. 14 to Dec. 24 to stand with its red kettles to raise money for the corps’ holiday and winter programs. Volunteers can serve as little as two hours a week.
Business Coordinator Brian Aird said the Citadel Corps is trying to use more volunteers to reduce its expenses and have more money for its holiday and winter programs. The corps also is seeking families and businesses to volunteer at one of its red kettles for one day. Family members and employees can take turns ringing the bell in shifts throughout the day.
Donations of toiletries, bedding and other items can be dropped off at the shelter, 320 Ninth St., or at the corps office, 625 I St. People interested in volunteering as bell ringers can call the corps office at (209) 522-3209.
This story was originally published November 1, 2014 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Modesto Salvation Army keeps kids warm this winter."