Help children stay warm this winter: donate a coat

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chris Mills
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  In summer, Alaska is a beautiful expanse of wilderness and wonder complemented by long days and mild temperatures.

For newcomers, it can be misleading. Although Anchorage is warmer than the Interior, winter temperatures are often well below freezing.

Outfitting an entire family with winter gear becomes costly.

To help those in need, the Army Community Service, Military Family Services Center and the National Guard armory joined forces to offer the "Koats For Kids" program on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The program collects donated coats in good condition and offers them to military families in need.

The program distributed about 700 coats last year, said Anthea Acosta, Army Community Service relocation program manager.

"While military members do get paid, that pay may not be enough to offset costs for families with several children," Acosta said. "Programs like this alleviate such stress."
"The cost of winter can really add up, especially with how fast little ones grow," said Arianne Parton, community readiness specialist with the MFSC.

"Parents who are leaving JBER for warmer climates probably won't need to take all the winter gear with them," Parton said. "By donating, they care be sure that gently used coat will keep another military child warm this coming winter. It's a way for parents to pay it forward, so to speak."

All winter gear is welcome, ranging from mittens and coats to boots and hats.
"It's mainly for new families, to alleviate the big expense of outfitting kids with winter clothing," Acosta said.

Coordinators encourage everyone to go through their closets and donate any unneeded winter items that are in good repair.

Donations can be made on JBER until Oct. 1 at Building 600 on JBER-Richardson, the Military Family Readiness Center Log Cabin on JBER-Elmendorf, the Joint Military Mall, participating child development centers and school age programs.

Volunteers will sort and size items so they are easier to identify.

No attendants will oversee the tables, so coordinators ask that people be courteous and not make a mess during their search.

With no prerequisites to receive items, military families are welcome to stop by Building 600, the Arctic Oasis Community Center, or National Guard Armory Tuesday through Oct. 15 to view available clothing options.

"As part of the military community, we want to make sure kids aren't without coats. It's an easy way to help other people," Acosta said.