Coat drive hopes to Warm Up Athens County

Winter is just around the corner, which means it’s time to break out the winter coats. That is, assuming you’re fortunate enough to have one.

Too many people in our community, young and old, do not have the resources to buy a winter coat. For this reason, Athens County Job and Family Services is partnering with Athens County Children Services and together are asking for help from community members for the first-ever Warm Up Athens County coat drive.

“It’s not uncommon for adults to come into our office in the dead of winter with no coat on,” said Arian Smedley, Community Relations Coordinator with Athens County JFS. “Children will come in wrapped in a blanket. It’s a sad state of affairs that our system does not provide enough to cover a person’s every day needs. But that is the reality. We know the need goes beyond coats and our clientele. Community members can play a key part in helping to provide some relief.”

When pulling out your winter gear, you may find a coat that doesn’t fit anymore or one that you no longer plan to wear. Both agencies ask that you consider donating that coat to this program. Bring it to one of our five drop-off locations and place it in one of the white bins.

“We are so excited to be partnering with JFS on this important project,” said Robin Webb, Public Relations Coordinator for Athens County Children Services. “Our staff sees this need on a daily basis during the colder months and we are very grateful for the businesses that have generously agreed to host a donation box. Currently, Kroger in Athens, The Market on State, and the Community Bank locations in Amesville, Nelsonville, and Glouster all have donations boxes set up. We hope that once word spreads about this project, more businesses will offer to host a donation box in their location,” Webb added.

New and gently used coats will be collected through the end of September. All sizes are needed. Monetary donations can be made to Athens County Children Services and mailed to the address below. All coats will be professionally dry cleaned, thanks to the services donated by Ambassador Laundries.

Drop off new or gently used coats at any of the following locations:

Kroger
919 E State St, Athens
6 am – 1 am

Nelsonville Community Bank
873 Chestnut St, Nelsonville
8:30 am – 5 pm

Amesville Community Bank
25 State St, Amesville
8:30 am – 5 pm

Glouster Community Bank
42 Toledo St, Glouster
8:30 am – 4:30 pm

The Market on State
1002 E State St, Athens
10 am – 9 pm

The Ohio University Credit Union
90 S. Shafer Street, Athens
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 8 am – 5 pm

The Ohio University Credit Union
944 E. State St., Athens
9 am – 5:30 pm

McDonald's
399 Richland Ave, Athens

McDonald's
922 E State St, Athens

McDonald's
80 N Plains Rd, The Plains

McDonald's
21 Watkins St, Nelsonville


Monetary Donations:
Athens County Children Services
P.O. Box 1046
Athens, Ohio 45701
Please add “COATS” in the memo line.