Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Those old ski jackets that are kept in closets just in case an unprepared visitor comes to town may have a better use.
The 10th annual coat drive in Steamboat Springs starts Monday, and old jackets are wanted.
"In the past, we have collected anywhere from 400 to 700 coats and distributed them out through the county," said Debbie Curd of AT&T. The company has helped sponsor the drive every year.
The coats go to people in the county who can't afford new ones, Curd said.
"Primarily, the bulk of the coats go to Steamboat," she said.
The drive begins Monday and lasts for a week. Donators can bring coats or snow pants to drop boxes at Clark's Market, City Market, Safeway, Steamboat Cleaners and AT&T offices at Sundance Plaza.
The biggest need is for children's coats, gloves, hats and snow pants.
"Those are the ones that go first when people come to pick them up," Curd said.
Any holes or tears in the coats should be repaired before they are donated.
All of the coats will be cleaned at Steamboat Cleaners and then taken to the Lift-Up Thrift Store on Oak Street. Between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27 through Nov. 30, anyone wanting a coat can come to Lift-Up and get one for free.
Only one coat can go to one person. Parents will have to bring each child who needs a coat.
"We're concerned that people are taking more than one coat for themselves," Lift-Up Director David Freseman said.
If someone can't make the three-day pick-up times, vouchers will be available to pick up the coats at another time. Vouchers will be at the Food Bank on Main Street in Oak Creek, which is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursday, and at the community Thanksgiving dinner at the Steamboat Community Center.
Each person can get one voucher.
Volunteers are needed to help with the coat drive.
"We're looking for people to pick up coats at the drop boxes and bring them to the cleaners and then to Lift-Up," Curd said. Anyone interested should call 870-0727.

To reach Doug Crowl call 871-4206 or e-mail dcrowl@amigo.net