Knights of Columbus to distribute Coats for Kids

Children in need of a winter coat can pick one up for free this month.

The Tea Knights of Columbus will hold a Coats for Kids coat giveaway Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Parish Hall. The coats are brand new and are for kids about 4-7 years old. They will have 24 coats available.

“We have access to coats and since our community is so young, we thought this would be an opportunity to see what kind of need there is out there,” Knights member Tim Vavra said.

The council is starting its third year in Tea with about 30 members. This is their first time doing something for the community rather than the parish only. The Knights have been fundraising at the parish to raise money to do a community event.

“Our main fundraiser would be every quarter we do a pancake breakfast here at church for the parishioners,” Knights member Barry Maag said.

According to the Knights of Columbus website, “Since the program’s launching in 2009, more than 310,000 coats have been distributed in 49 states and all 10 Canadian provinces. In winter 2016 alone, the Knights of Columbus distributed 78,576 coats in 1,600 communities throughout the U.S. and Canada, including events at military bases, in Native American communities, at inner-city neighborhoods and through partnerships with local police and fire departments.”

People interested in a coat for kids can come to the church to get one Nov. 18 or they may call or text Vavra at 605-759-2880 to set something up privately. There are no requirements to pick up a coat and they are not collecting any information.

In addition to the Coats for Kids program, the Knights of Columbus also raise money for intellectual disability programs and are involved with Special Olympics. The Tea council also hopes to bring a free throw or soccer challenge in the next few years. St. Nicholas Catholic Church’s parish hall is located at 140 W. Brian Street.