Val Warner, left, and Rick Kerlin, start to load the back of a new Ford truck with coats received so far for their 16th annual coat drive. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

The weather is definitely changing and many people have started going through closets sorting through and finding jackets or coats that are too small or finding ones that haven’t been worn for sometime.

Why not give those coats to someone who may need a jacket or coat to stay warm this fall and winter? Donators do not need to do a thing, except pull the coat out of the closet and drop it off.

Kerlin Motor Co., Silver Lake, has begun their annual coat drive.

Coats of any size from, infants through adults, are being accepted at a number of drop off locations including: Kerlin Motor Co., Kerlin Tractor Sales, both in Silver Lake; Kerlin Trailers Motorsports & Western World, Wildman Business Group and Peerless Cleaners, all in Warsaw.

The collection began Sept. 22 and will end Oct. 10. All coats will be brought to Kerlin Motor Co., to be sorted between those requiring dry cleaning and those just needing a wash. The coats will then be delivered to Peerless Cleaners and Wildman Business Group who will clean the outerwear for deliver to Combined Community Service.

This is the 16th year for Kerlin Motor Co., to host such an event and each year approximately 1,000 coats are given to CCS for county residents in need.

Val Warner, general manager of Kerlin Trailers Motorsports & Western World, is credited for the idea by Rick Kerlin, owner of Kerlin Motors Co. However, it was a joint venture by the two.

“We are just a small town dealer. It’s our way of giving back to the community and county,” said Warner. “We were talking about different things and came up with used coats. The first year was unbelievable.”

Warner said they contacted CCS to see if there was a need before starting the drive. The agency’s response “yes all the time.”

Warner is amazed at the number of coats received from county residents. But not just the used coats. “Every year we get dozens of brand new coats donated,” she said, noting that individuals will purchase new coats to donate.

“It’s a great program. It doesn’t matter what your situation is. If you need one, get one,” stated Warner. She added often times there are gloves and hats found among the donated coats.