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http://www.emichigancity.com/news.htm#coat

11th Annual Coat Campaign at City Hall

Mayor Chuck Oberlie announced that Michigan City residents can once again donate coats to needy families through City Hall.

“Beginning today, Oct. 17th, we will accept new and gently used coats of all sizes at City Hall. The collection site is downstairs,” Mayor Oberlie said. “Coats may be placed on the coat racks from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.”

Mayor Oberlie said, “Our office receives dozens of requests for children’s and infant’s coats and snowsuits. If you have any coats, snowsuits, snow pants, snow boots, mittens and hats that you or your children have outgrown or don’t wear – things that you would give away or put into a garage sale – please consider donating them to this coat drive. Each year, on average, 600 coats of all sizes and styles are donated to and received from this campaign.”

“I want to personally thank Concord Cleaners once again for their generous offer to clean…at no cost…any coats and snowsuits that you wish to donate to the City Hall Coat campaign” said Mayor Oberlie. “Simply drop off your coats at Concord Cleaners and say they are for the coat campaign, and Concord Cleaners will clean them and deliver them to City Hall weekly.”

Sheila Bell, manager of Concord Cleaners, said, “There is such a need for this campaign in our community and we are pleased to be able to participate in it and address the needs of our local community.”

“There are many people in our community who need coats to replace those their children have outgrown and who cannot afford to purchase a coat themselves,” Mayor Oberlie concluded. “I urge this generous community to check your closets for serviceable coats for those in need. We will accept new and gently used coats of all sizes at City Hall. The weather is turning chilly, and there are children and adults who are without coats to keep them warm,” Mayor Oberlie said.

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...ce550716552.txt

City’s coat campaign going strong

A variety of women’s coats available in the City Hall basement. Photo by Tim Moran
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, December 17, 2011 5:08 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — For the 11th year in a row, the mayor’s office has been collecting coats through donations for people in need.

The generosity of the donators, Mayor’s Office Administrator Cindi Walus said, is essential.

“We are very thankful for the generosity we have seen,” she said. “Everyone who comes in and gets a coat is real appreciative.”

Until March, or whenever the weather improves, residents are encouraged to drop off an unneeded jacket at the basement in City Hall or to Concord Custom Cleaners, 3231 Franklin St.

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“We have an honor system,” Walus said. “Anyone who needs a coat is allowed to take one.”

Concord Cleaners manager Sheila Bell has organized the drive from the cleaners’ end. The business cleans coats turned in by residents and takes them to City Hall about once every two weeks.

The cooperation between the business and city has resulted in more than 50 jackets in City Hall as of Friday.

Walus said the Mayor’s Office receives “two to three” calls each week on the coat campaign, from people who are either looking to donate or are in need of one.

“A lot of times, it has been the same people donating that do it every year,” Walus said. “And unfortunately, there are some of the same people that need to come back every year for one.”

City Hall’s coat campaign began in 2001 and has continued since Mayor Chuck Oberlie took over for Sheila Brillson in 2003.

This year’s campaign began Oct. 17. Walus said the city has received about the same number of coats this year as last year.

“We are happy to help with the supply,” she said.