The 23rd annual KOATS FOR KIDS campaign has finished collecting donations of gently-worn winter coats, caps and mittens.

All the items will be cleaned for free and donated to the Community Action Coalition for distribution to needy families in mid-October

'Koats' Distribution Helps Area Families In Need

Our sincere thanks to the Alexander Co., in conjunction with Northgate Partnership, for the wonderful storage/distribution space which has been loaned to us for KOATS FOR KIDS 2008! This year's KOATS FOR KIDS distribution event will be held at 1137 North Sherman Ave., in the Northgate Shopping Center. This customer-friendly and accessible site is just one block from the Madison Metro Bus North Transfer Point. Dates and times are as follows:

Oct. 23, Thursday - 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Oct. 24, Friday - 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Oct. 25, Saturday - 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oct. 26, Sunday - Noon-5 p.m.

People who wish to receive a coat will need to register. Pre-registration can be completed at the Community Action Coalition (1717 N. Stoughton Rd.) and requires one form of identification for each individual in need of a coat. On-site registration will also be available during the KOATS FOR KIDS distribution. For questions regarding registration, please contact the C.A.C. at 608-246-4730.

Donate In Other Ways

If you'd like to take part in KOATS FOR KIDS but don't have a coat to donate, please consider these additional opportunities:

The Community Action Coalition welcomes volunteers to help sort and organize coats as they come in, and to assist on distribution weekend in mid-October. If you can spare an hour (or more!), contact Brian Benford, coordinator of Community Relations, by phone (246-4730, ext. 202) or e-mail (bbenford@cacscw.org).

The Community Action Coalition would also be grateful for monetary donations to help offset distribution costs. If you'd like to contribute in this way, please follow the link to the CAC's donation page.