MOUNT VERNON — The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon is again partnering with Gault’s Plaza Cleaners to bring warmth and comfort to local children through the annual Coats for Kids Drive.
Throughout 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 from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 at 37 partner locations across Knox County. Once collected, Gault’s Plaza Cleaners will clean the coats. Interchurch Social Services and The Salvation Army to children and families before the winter chill arrives.
Pak Mail has once again donated the collection boxes.
“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.'”
Long-standing generosity
Since Coats for Kids began in 1987, Kiwanis has collected, cleaned, and distributed nearly 20,000 coats. 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. 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,” Capt. Christine Moretz said.
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 South Preston Street
Centerburg Middle/High School: 3782 Columbus Road
Park National Bank: 35 West Main Street
Danville
Danville Elementary/Middle School: 205 Rambo Street
Danville High School: 10 Rambo Street
Knox Public Health: 12 East Main Street
Park National Bank: 4 South Market Street
Fredericktown
Fredericktown Elementary/Middle/High School: 111 Stadium Drive
Park National Bank: 137 North Main Street
Gambier
Gambier Child Care Center (Head Start): 119 Meadow Lane
The Peoples Bank: 103 East Wiggin Street
Wiggin Street Elementary: 207 East Wiggin Street
Howard
East Knox Jr./Sr. High School: 23227 Coshocton Road
Mount Vernon
CES Credit Union: 1215 Yauger Road & 400 West Chestnut Street
Gault’s Plaza Cleaners: Kroger Plaza, 855 Coshocton Road
Knox County Career Center: 306 Martinsburg Road
Knox County Chamber of Commerce: 501 South Main Street
Knox County Head Start (Hew Hope Early Education): 11700 Upper Gilchrist Road
Knox County Service Center: 117 East High Street
Knox Public Health: 11660 Upper Gilchrist Rd, 202 West Vine Street, & 207 West High Street
Knox Technical Center: 308 Martinsburg Road
Ohio Eastern Star Home: 1451 Gambier Road
Park National Bank: 1 South Main & 810 Coshocton Avenue
Peoples Bank: 1345 Yauger Road
Salvation Army of Mount Vernon: 206 East Ohio Avenue
SPI Spot: 400 South Main Street
The Peoples Bank: 11423 Upper Gilchrist Road
United Way of Knox County: 305 East High Street
Mount Vernon City Schools
Columbia Elementary: 150 Columbus Road
Dan Emmett Elementary: 108 Mansfield Road
East Elementary: 714 East Vine Street
Mount Vernon High School: 300 Yellow Jacket Drive
Mount Vernon Middle School: 302 Yellow Jacket Drive
Pleasant Street Elementary: 305 East Pleasant Street
Twin Oak Elementary: 8888 Martinsburg Road
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