The Santa Maria Noontime Kiwanis Club/s plans for its seventh Annual Winter Coat collection project are in full swing. This drive has provided warm coats, jackets and outergarments for hundreds of local men, women and children for the past six years, and committee organizers say they hope for yet another successful drive this holiday season.

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria (Noontime), in collaboration with Catholic Charities and Mid-State Bank & Trust, will collect coats and jackets in good, clean condition this Wednesday through Friday only.

Donations may be dropped off at any of the five Santa Maria Valley Mid-State Bank & Trust branches during regular banking hours on those dates. If donors are unable to make it to one of the bank branches, arrangements will be made.

Kiwanis members will pick up all contributions Friday and deliver them to Catholic Charities, where they will be sorted and distributed to community agencies that provide clothing, food and shelter to people who need them.

This is a great opportunity to clean out closets and give a gently worn coat or jacket in nice, usable condition to someone who could use the extra warmth. While there is a need for both adults and children/s garments, David Coelho of the Santa Maria Catholic Charities office said there is an ongoing need for boys and girls from preschoolers to teenagers.

For more information, call Bob Sharon at 934-2399, Bob Doyle at 934-5928 or Frieda Sumpter at 481-1878.

Dec. 5, 2004