Coats for Kids Drive returns to keep Knox County children warm this winter

As crisp autumn air sets in, the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon is once again partnering with Gault’s Plaza Cleaners to bring warmth and comfort to local children through the annual Coats for Kids Drive. Throughout the month of October, community members are encouraged to donate new or gently used coats — especially children’s sizes — to help ensure that no child in Knox County faces the winter without protection from the cold.

Donations will be accepted Oct. 1-31 at 37 partner locations across Knox County. Once collected, the coats will be cleaned by Gault’s Plaza Cleaners and distributed by Interchurch Social Services and the Salvation Army to children and families before the winter chill arrives. Collection boxes have once again been generously donated by Mount Vernon Pak Mail.

“The employees at Knox Community Hospital look forward to participating in the Coats for Kids drive every year and many comment about how meaningful it is to support local families in this way. One year, we collected more than 100 coats from KCH staff." said Alice Hutzel, director of Marketing and Development. "As a Kiwanis board member, I find the collection of coats is a tangible way to live out the Kiwanis mission, 'to improve the world by making a lasting difference in the lives of children.'" 

Since Coats for Kids began in 1987, nearly 20,000 coats have been collected, cleaned, and distributed. This is a true testament to the community’s long-standing generosity.

With increasing demand for services across the county, the need is greater than ever. Both Interchurch Social Services and the Salvation Army anticipate higher numbers of families seeking assistance this winter, making every coat donation vital.

“The Salvation Army is so very grateful to stand in the gap for those who are able to give and those who need to receive. We are blessed to be part of such a generous and compassionate community. Thank you,” said Captain Christine Moretz.

The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon, part of a global service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, is proud to continue this annual tradition of care.

For more information on how you can support Coats for Kids 2025, contact Lisa Lloyd at 740-392-3270, ext. 2.

Drop off Locations:

CENTERBURG

Centerburg Elementary: 207 S. Preston St.

Centerburg Middle/High School: 3782 Columbus Road

Park National Bank: 35 W. Main St.

DANVILLE

Danville Elementary/Middle School: 205 Rambo St.

Danville High School: 10 Rambo St.

Knox Public Health: 12 E. Main St.

Park National Bank: 4 S. Market St.

FREDERICKTOWN

Fredericktown Elementary/Middle/High School: 111 Stadium Drive

Park National Bank: 137 N. Main St. 

GAMBIER

Gambier Child Care Center (Head Start): 119 Meadow Lane

The Peoples Bank: 103 E. Wiggin St.

Wiggin Street Elementary: 207 E. Wiggin St.

HOWARD

East Knox Jr./Sr. High School: 23227 Coshocton Road

MOUNT VERNON

CES Credit Union: 1215 Yauger Road & 400 W. Chestnut St.

Gault’s Plaza Cleaners: Kroger Plaza, 855 Coshocton Road

Knox County Career Center: 306 Martinsburg Road

Knox County Chamber of Commerce: 501 S. Main St.

Knox County Head Start (Hew Hope Early Education): 11700 Upper Gilchrist Road

Knox County Service Center: 117 E. High St.

Knox Public Health: 11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, 202 W. Vine St. & 207 W. High St.

Knox Technical Center: 308 Martinsburg Road

Ohio Eastern Star Home: 1451 Gambier Road

Park National Bank: 1 S. Main St. & 810 Coshocton Ave.

Peoples Bank: 1345 Yauger Road

Salvation Army of Mount Vernon: 206 E. Ohio Ave.

SPI Spot: 400 S. Main St.

The Peoples Bank: 11423 Upper Gilchrist Road

United Way of Knox County: 305 E. High St.

Mount Vernon City Schools

Columbia Elementary: 150 Columbus Road

Dan Emmett Elementary: 108 Mansfield Road

East Elementary: 714 E. Vine St.

Mount Vernon High School: 300 Yellow Jacket Dr.

Mount Vernon Middle School: 302 Yellow Jacket Dr.

Pleasant Street Elementary: 305 E. Pleasant St.

Twin Oak Elementary: 8888 Martinsburg Road