Koats for Kids 2014

by Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
JBER Public Affairs

9/4/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Snow falls on a cold Alaska day as children make snow angels and snowmen in their warm winter jackets, hats and gloves, but one child has a difficult time getting his old winter gear on; it's too small. Fortunately, there's a good way to get the right size--and help others in the process.

The Army Community Service Center offers the "Koats for Kids" program to military members and their families in need of winter clothing, such as jackets, hats, gloves and boots--anything that can be used during the winter.

"This program has been offered to all military members and their families for about ten years now on the installation," said Anthea Acosta, Army Community Service Center relocation readiness program manager. "We receive anywhere from infant to adult winter clothing in our donation boxes, so even single service members can use the program if they need it."

The program collects any winter clothing items in good condition Sept. 2 through Oct. 3. The Army Community Service Center encourages everyone to go through their closets and find any unneeded winter items to donate.

"This program is used for the families that really can't afford to buy their children new winter clothing," Acosta said. "They could be a high-ranking individual but they might have financial difficulties and can't provide for their family."

Donation boxes are placed throughout the installation for people to donate while they shop or when they drop their child off at a child development center.

"We place donation boxes at the Joint Military Mall, Building 600, the Military and Family Support Center, Talkeetna Child Development Center and the Illa School Age Program Building," Acosta said.

Items donated are picked up every other day by the volunteers from the Army Community Service Center.

"Sometimes we have to go pick up the donated items every day because our boxes get so full, so fast," Acosta said. "The box in the CDC is always the most popular donation box, because parents are always cleaning out their closets; I will get a call from their front desk to come pick up the items."

After donations are picked up they are sorted by size and type of clothing for distribution at a later date.

"We don't mind if people want to exchange for other items while they are donating at the boxes, it is all free and going to a good cause," Acosta said. "I have children, and I know it is hard trying to save money when they need new winter gear."

"Here at the Talkeetna Child Development Center we have parents that donate to the 'Koats for Kids' and we have parents that definitely need it," said Lisa Aguilar, 673d Force Support Squadron education and training technician at the Talkeetna CDC. "If we can help them, why not donate our extra winter gear that we know will not be used and give it to someone who can use it?"

The Army Community Service Center will distribute the items from Sept. 17 through Oct. 15 at Building 600.

"I will be putting the clothing out on the tables every day until we run out," Acosta said. "No volunteers will be watching the distribution tables, but we do ask that people only take what they need so another [person] in need can have an opportunity to provide for their family as well."

"I hope this program keeps going, because people on base do use it and it is very beneficial to the families that do need it," Aguilar said.