Coat Closet in need of donations

OXFORD – Each Wednesday from November to March, the Coat Closet opens its doors to provide warm outerwear for people in need throughout the Oxford Hills area.

The space they use to store and distribute coats, sweaters and other warm items is located at the former K & K Video Store next to Ocean Lots on Main Street.

The Coat Closet is part of the Coats for Everyone program overseen by RightStart, a non-profit organization, which has numerous programs to help those in need, including Christmas for Kids and Christmas for Teens.

According to Wendy Williams, who is in charge of the Coats for Everyone program, the need for warm winter wear is on the rise, and donations are desperately needed.

“The need is enormous!” she explained. “Everyone should have a warm coat, especially with the winter months quickly upon us. In this economy we need to do our best to make sure everyone has warm clothing, from the elderly to homeless teens, children, moms and dads.”

We give away approximately 300 coats every year,” she added. “And if the numbers are consistent, we will need more donations in order to help all of our neighbors stay warm.”

Coats aren’t the only thing the Coat Closet provides the area.

“We also have sweaters, fleece items, hats, mittens and ski pants,” said Williams. “We have a great need right now for men’s coats in large sizes for teenage boys. We are also in great need for ski pants in all sizes.”

Donations can be made on Wednesdays at the Coat Closet or there is a drop-off box at Hannaford across the street. All donations are welcome and are cleaned by Norway Laundry before keeping a neighbor warm.

“It only takes a few minutes to go through our closets to find outer wear that hasn’t been worn for a few years or no longer fits,” said the coordinator. “And they are so appreciated. Many of us can’t imagine a winter without a coat, but many of our friends and neighbors struggle each winter to stay warm.”

If you are in need of winter outer wear, the Coat Closet should be able to help, no questions asked.

“We figure if they are here, they need a coat or a sweater,” said Williams. “We don’t have income requirements or any forms to fill out. All they need to do is come in and pick out what they need.”

The Coat Closet is open from 1 to 3 pm on Wednesdays, now through March. For more information, contact Williams at 527-2351.

Coats needed Photo: Jackie Rybeck

HELPING OTHERS - Faye Bean and Wendy Williams hang newly-cleaned coats at the Coat Closet in Oxford. The Coat Closet is a part of RightStart and hands out coats, sweaters, hats mittens and other warm outerwear for people who need them in the Oxford Hills area.