Annual Coat Closet serves 187 families, 1,247 individuals over two days

McCOOK, Neb. -- The coordinator of McCook's annual "Coat Closet" was deeply touched by the generosity of donors who gave coats, hats and mittens to the annual winter coat and clothing giveaway the first week of November.

Following the giveaway of coats and clothing that filled tables on the floor and lined the balcony railings of Memorial Auditorium, Coat Closet coordinator Barb Ostrum said, "Donors were amazing this year ... so very generous." She feels confident that many people -- and especially tiny ones, youngsters and teens -- will have a warmer winter thanks to donations to the Coat Closet.

Her final records indicate that the Coat Closet served 187 families (households) of 1,247 people over two days.

Donors gave winter coats, jackets, hoodies (hooded sweatshirts), coveralls, vests, mittens and gloves, stocking caps and scarves, blankets, quilts and afghans, flannel sheets, and warm clothing and snow boots of every size and style.

Margaret Trail Nielsen of Papillion, formerly of McCook and Lexington, knitted, crocheted and donated 180 stocking caps -- including several styles of popular "Minion" cartoon characters. Barb said that Margaret has created hundreds -- if not thousands -- of stocking caps and fashionable clothes for the Coat Closet over many years.

Barb said that an anonymous benefactor has made it possible for a number of years to offer a selection of new children's and teens' coats.

Barb said she could not offer the Coat Closet giveaway each year without the help of volunteers, who this year racked up approximately 489 hours over the week of hauling, sorting, setting up, distribution and packing up. "My volunteers demonstrate the highest level of community service," Barb said. "I could not do this without them."

The Coat Closet project is made possible by the City of McCook, Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska and the Southwest Nebraska community.