Koats for Kids returns for sixth year
SAULT STE. MARIE — The Chippewa County Credit Union is hosting its sixth annual Koats for Kids fundraiser event on Saturday, Nov. 5.
For those who can't afford winter coats, hats and gloves, organizers said a winter in Sault Ste. Marie can be extremely difficult, with an average snowfall of over 100 inches each winter.
The credit union is helping local kids prepare for the cold winter season with its annual fundraising drive for winter clothes. Koats for Kids began in 2017 as a way to help provide the community with needed winter clothes.
Kids of any age and size can come and get winter gear without having to prove any kind of need.
"Kids can walk up to the tables and pick out the coats that fit them," said Olivia Cerre, marketing director for the Chippewa County Credit Union. "That's why we ask that the kids attend themselves but also have an adult with them."
The program began at the credit union location in Kincheloe but has since expanded into Sault Ste. Marie to reach as many kids as possible in Chippewa County.
"They just saw a need in our community. Obviously, we're a really cold area, and the credit union thought 'How can we give back and help our members and our community?'" said Cerre.
During the first year of the event, the credit union accepted donations of old coats, hats and gloves that were in good condition. After the first year, the credit union began partnering with Operation Warm. Operation Warm is an international nonprofit that helps families and other groups in the U.S. and Canada get easy access to affordable winter clothes. The operation has helped provide winter clothing to almost 5 million kids.
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With the help of Operation Warm, the credit union also began collecting donations of money to buy more coats.
Money donations can be made directly to the Chippewa County Credit Union at one of their two locations in either Kincheloe or Sault Ste. Marie. While the official donation time ends the day before the event, the credit union will still be accepting donations at any time, and will use the money for next year's donations.
"We take donations all the way through the event, and if donations come in after we've already purchased the coats, we'll save that donation and use it in the event next year," said Cerre.
In previous years, the Koats for Kids event has raised more than $10,000 for winter clothes, helping more than 280 kids. This year, the organization has already received major support from the Sault community and some local businesses as well.
"In previous years, the community has raised over $10,000 to purchase the coats with," said Cerre.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Chippewa County Credit Union hosts sixth annual Koats for Kids fundraiser
