Salvation Army seeking more coat donations

Posted on October 21, 2015
Salvation Army in Bloomington
Over 230 people have already come to the Salvation Army seeking a winter coat. (Photo courtesy Facebook/TheSalvationArmyBloomingtonCorps)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The Salvation Army of McLean County making a plea for more winter coats as it continues its annual coat drive.

Development Director Angie Fulton told WJBC’s Dan Swaney they started distributing coats Oct. 13 and have already had 230 people come through their doors.

“25 of those people couldn’t get a coat because there wasn’t the right size. So, they’re able to come back and try again to see if we have something,” said Fulton. “Really, we need coats. We certainly need coats of larger sizes. We have people of all shapes and sizes coming in and they all need coats.”

Fulton said the Salvation Army will typically hand out between 500 and 600 coats each year.

“To have that many come through the doors this early is more than we typically see,” she said.

Anyone wishing to donate can drop off coats at the Salvation Army headquarters at 611 W. Washington St. in Bloomington. There are also drop off sites at Gold’s Gym and Commerce Bank locations. A full list can be found at sabloomington.org.

Adam Studiznski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…