Annual Kerlin Coat Drive successful as 1,000+ items donated

Pictured (L to R): Paul Smith, Times-Union; Alyssa Lowe, Combined Community Services; Rick Kerlin, Kerlin Motor Company; Steve Grashoff, Peerless Cleaners; Kris Lake, WRSW 107.3 FM; and Chris Cage, Willie 103.5 FM. (Photo: Tim Keffaber/News Now Warsaw)

It was another successful year for the annual coat drive by the Kerlin Motor Company.

Rick Kerlin says a final tally shows 1,295 coats were donated this year, along with hats, gloves, scarves and boots, which will help keep families and kids warm in for the upcoming winter months. The number of donated items surpassed the 2019 count of 914.

The items are all taken to Combined Community Services, where the public can go to pick up one of the coats or other items for the winter. This was the 21st year of the coat drive, and over 24,000 coats have been donated since the first year.