Community Service Spotlight

Five questions for Cheney Coats 4 Kids coordinator Carol Kriegh

 1. What is Coats 4 Kids?

Coats 4 Kids is a coat drive sponsored for many years by KXLY Channel 4 in Spokane.  For about 12 years we have done a coat collection locally so that area families can benefit without having to go to Spokane.  We collect coats for all ages, not just children.  For the past three years the Cheney Community Coat drive has worked in conjunction with Coats 4 Kids to do a local coat drive for the Cheney community.  All of the coats collected here stay in the Cheney/Airway Heights area.

 2. Is there a need for coats in the Cheney community?

The fact that we typically distribute 200-300 coats each year tells me that, yes, there is a need for coats locally.

 3. Who makes Coats 4 Kids happen in Cheney?

The Wash Tub is certainly the biggest factor in making our local drive happen.  They launder all of the coats that are collected so that we are distributing clean coats.  The local Kiwanis play a large role by putting out the collection boxes, picking up coats and taking them to the Wash Tub, and then transporting coats to Salnave Elementary School where we have the primary distribution.  Circle K, the college component of Kiwanis, helps with the sorting of coats prior to distribution. Tomlinson Black Realty is a sponsor of Coats 4 Kids, so locally Colleen McCallip of Tomlinson Black provides boxes and collection bags, fliers and any other help needed. The Cheney United Methodist Church continues to play a large role as well particularly in sorting and helping with the distribution. 

 4. Who is eligible to receive a free coat and how can they get one?

Anyone who needs a coat is eligible to get one or as many as they need.  There is no criteria other than showing up on the day of the distribution.

 5. How can residents help this cause?

People can help by donating coats.  We can use extra help sorting coats on Oct. 15 and on the day of distribution, as well.  I have a sign up schedule for those days as it doesn't require a lot of people. Coats that come in after the collection time will be donated to the Cheney Clothing Exchange. The collection cutoff is set one week prior to distribution so that the Wash Tub has time to get them all cleaned.

The Details:

Collection boxes are located at all Cheney schools: Betz, Salnave, Sunset, Windsor, Cheney Middle School, Cheney High School, Three Springs High School and Homeworks. Boxes are also at the Catholic Church, United Church of Christ, Community Church, Amazing Grace Fellowship, Nazarene Church, Lutheran Church, Methodist Church nad Episcopal Church. The following businesses have collection boxes: Tomlinson, Cheney Care Center, Safeway, Ben Franklin, Cheney Trading Company, Jarms, Owl Pharmacy, Mitchell's IGA, Wash Tub, Giggling Guest, Papa Murphy's. EWU Childcare Center and the EWU Athletic Dept. have donation boxes, too.

Coats will be distributed Saturday, Oct. 16 at Salnave Elementary School from 9:30 – 2:30 and Saturday, Oct. 23 at Sunset Elementary from 10 a.m. – noon.