The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
WINTER WARMTH
First UnitedMethodist Church: 18th annual Coat Giveaway Saturday
ONEIDA, N.Y. » The community is once again rallying to help those in need prepare for winter weather.
Hundreds of gently-used coats, hats, mittens, boots, snow pants and scarves lined tables at the First UnitedMethodist Church as volunteers get ready for their 18th annual Coat Giveaway to be held this Saturday.
“People have needs, and we’re here to help meet those needs,” said Bambi Niles, coat giveaway coordinator. “We have people who come regularly every year, especially to outfit their children.”
Niles said the giveaway serves anywhere from 180 to 250 people every year, though the 2013 flood saw an influx as people “really needed everything,” Niles said.
The giveaway is the culmination of several local organizations, groups and community members reaching out to support their fellow citizens, Niles explained. School districts including Oneida, Vernon-Verona- Sherrill, Canastota, and Holy Cross Academy all pitch in through their own donation drives, or with student volunteers to help sort through the piles of donated winter gear. Even the Vernon Center-Augusta Presbyterian Church, which holds its own coat drive the week prior to First United’s, donates their leftovers to the cause.
“It’s so many people in the community and it seems to be
“People have needs, andwe’re here to helpmeet those needs. We have peoplewho come regularly every year, especially to outfit their children.”
— Bambi Niles, coat giveaway
coordinator
spreading outward,” Niles said
Any winter clothing left over is also sent along to other local organizations, such as Karing Kitchen, Loaves and Fishes in Canastota, and Interfaith Works in Syracuse, to name a few.
“We’re all small towns and I think small towns try to look out for each other,” Niles said. “I think that’s why it’s so successful.”
On Wednesday, Holy Cross students Lily Carr, 14, and Michaela Casey, 14, were helping sort through coats and mittens at the First United Methodist Church.
“I thought it would be good to come and help,” said Casey, who volunteers through her religion class at the school.
“I just want to help the community,” Carr added.
In addition to the coat giveaway itself, Niles said a number of groups will be present at the church on Saturday, including Fidelis Insurance, SNAP, Mary Rose Clinic representatives, and the Madison County Health Department. There will also be Christmas Basket signups.
“It’s more than just coats,” Niles said.
Volunteers will continue sorting through donations Thursday from2-4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. The giveaway will be Satur- day from 9 a.m. to noon.
For more information, call 315-363-2450.