Sheldon, Iowa — For many years the Sheldon Ministerial Association, in cooperation with Bubbles, has sponsored a Coats for Kids drive to help get warm winter coats into the hands of children in the community who might not otherwise have a warm coat.
But this year the distribution of coats almost had to be cancelled due to an unfortunate incident earlier this week. Sheldon First Reformed Church Pastor Paul Van Maaren is a member of the Sheldon Ministerial Association and he explains.
(As above) “Bubbles had a fire and I don’t know the extent of the damages, but the coats that had been donated were a total loss in the fire. Whether they completely burned or just couldn’t be cleaned anymore, really we couldn’t give them away in good faith. So we’re doing our best…Love INC is working their connections for more donations and we’re going to continue on with the original date, to distribute those coats…as many as we have.”
Pastor Paul says donations of coats are still being accepted, as are cash donations.
(As above) “We’ll take those and we’ll make them go as far as we possibly can. But if you can find good used coats at the Treasure Chest, or just inexpensive purchases here and there. There’s a lot of people who need coats in our community. As kids grow up, there are a surprising number of families who struggle to have warm winter clothing for their children.”
He says that, under this year’s circumstances, they’re specifically focusing on collecting coats for children.
(As above) “The Sheldon Ministerial Association has been doing Coats for Kids for, well since I’ve been in Sheldon. And it’s been a blessing to the community as Christians…it’s one of those ways that we can be a little bit like a missionary in our own community, demonstrating the love of Jesus in a very practical way. In years past we’ve also done adult coats and certainly we won’t say no to an adult coat, but we try to focus on kids, specifically. But if someone has an adult coat and wants to give it away, don’t be bashful, bring it to Love INC and we’ll make sure it finds a good home.”
Coats can be dropped off at Love INC of Greater Sheldon from 8:30 to 5:00 on Monday, and Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 until noon.
Distribution of the coats is still scheduled for next Saturday, November 14th, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, and organizers tell us that masks WILL be required during the pick-up.
