Deadline Nearing For Giles' Coats For Kids Donations

You have until Sunday to donate a coat to Gilesâ€™ Coats for Kids. Coats can be dropped off at any Yale Cleaner's location through December 31st.<br/> <br/>News on 6 reporter Chris Wright has more

Saturday, December 30th 2006, 4:25 pm

By: News On 6

You have until Sunday to donate a coat to Gilesâ€™ Coats for Kids. Coats can be dropped off at any Yale Cleaner's location through December 31st.

News on 6 reporter Chris Wright has more on how the memory of Jim Giles has motivated the drive's organizers.

Gilesâ€™ Coats for Kids has already helped thousands of people this year and the charities involved hope to honor Jim by helping thousands more.

Catholic Charities expects many of these coats to fly off the racks when it opens its doors again on January 4th. Its store on East 11th Street has been closed for the holidays, but will open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from the 4th until the 13th.

"If you need a coat, please come in, we have an abundant supply and we'll be glad to help you," said Tom Oâ€™Leary with Catholic Charities.

For two decades, Jim Giles lent his name to the coat drive, and O'Leary says people have been incredibly generous since his passing.

"We've seen just a tremendous outpouring from people brining coats in to Yale cleaners because of him, because of his passing, it's just made a huge difference," Oâ€™Leary said.

For anyone still interested in helping out, Yale Cleaners locations are accepting donations through Sunday.

Catholic Charities says it should have enough coats for everyone who needs them, but it could always use more.

Gilesâ€™ Coats for Kids is about halfway towards its goal this year, they say they've handed out about 5,000 coats to 800 families, and they hope to collect several thousand more before the drive is over.

"We have people come in with 6, 8 kids, they walk out with 10, 12 coats. There's a desperate need for it, especially this time of year when it's cold," said Oâ€™Leary.

While Jim may be gone, organizers say his contributions to the coat drive that bears his name will never be forgotten.

"This year and every year, like I said, this will always be known as Jim Gilesâ€™ Coats For Kids," Oâ€™Leary said.

Catholic Charities say it is a little short on children's coats this year, and hopes to collect more of them before Sundayâ€™s deadline.

If you would like to pick up a coat, you need to remember to bring identification for yourself and every family member who needs a coat.