Coats and boots are free for families in need at the Newmarket Lions and Lionesses annual Coat for Kids, and adults, too, this Saturday, Oct. 10 — likely for the last time before it's forced to fold.
The gently used winter clothing ranges in sizes from infants to adults, said Lions member Christiane Zoidl.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Newmarket Church of Christ at 230 Davis Dr.
Physical distancing will be enforced, and all visitors are required to wear masks.
Unfortunately, due both to COVID-19 restrictions and the looming loss of the location provided without cost by a local businessperson, donations of clothing are not being accepted this year, she said.
Typically, about 1,500 coats are distributed to local children annually.
The volunteer and donation-supported program that has been outfitting area children and adults with free winter gear for seven years will fold after this season without a new location from which to run its operation.
The Coats for Kids program, which is run by Newmarket’s three Lions clubs — the North Newmarket Lions, the Newmarket Lions, and the Newmarket Lioness— has until Dec. 1, 2020 at its Gorham Street storefront, she said.
The space, where people in need could pick up new or nearly new winter coats, boots, hats and scarves, has been provided rent-free by one of the founding members of the North Newmarket Lions, Jim Wilson.
"We have been looking for a free-to-use facility for 2021," Zoidl said, but nothing has been offered to date.
For more information, visit Coats for Kids on Facebook. For more about the North Newmarket Lions Club, visit here.
— With files from Kim Champion
we must vacate our current facility by December 1st.
Christiane Zoidl
