By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – A local coat collection that has helped keep Unit 5 students warm has spread to District 87.
Chairwoman for the Normal Rotary Club Coats for Kids drive, Connie Gentry, said the club’s annual poinsettia sales have paid for new coats, hats and gloves, which are given to students along with those that people donate.
“People have been really generous with what we have been able to do see the need for coats because several students have had to stay home from school because they didn’t have warm enough clothing to wear,” Gentry said.
Gentry said the Rotary Club gave out 441 coats, 240 pairs of gloves and 156 new hats last year and will be delivering at least that many this year as they help students in District 87.
“We have Unit 5 fairly well taken care of, we have a lot of them there, but we probably are going to need more of them with the Mitsubishi (plant closing) and their situation,” Gentry said.
Donated coats can be dropped off at any District 87 or Unit 5 school. This is the eighth year for the coat drive.
Cash donations can be mailed to the Normal Rotary Foundation at Post Office Box 333, Normal, 61761.
The Normal Rotary Club will deliver large poinsettia orders on Dec. 4 or can be picked up at the Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
