Koats 4 Kids well under way in 13th season

With temperatures soon expected to drop below zero, the demand for winter clothing from the Kootenai Kiwanis Koats 4 Kids Kloset at Asa Wood is growing. Since it opened Oct. 7, the charitable group this season has given away 800-plus articles of winter clothing.

During its 13-year stint, more than 14,000 coats, hats, scarves, gloves, muffs and winter boots have been given to Lincoln County’s needy.

“If anyone in Lincoln County is going cold this winter, it’s not my fault,” said Pam Peppenger, the Kiwanis representative who oversees the operation.

The Kloset is located just inside the front doors at Asa Wood, first door on the left. The room is staffed by members of the local chapter of Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP).

“The RSVP members are so crucial to the success of Koats 4 Kids,” Peppenger said. “So many of the Kiwanis are still working. We just couldn’t run the place without their help.”

The Kloset is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Last Friday, Cathy Burnell, Ricki Yeager and Kate Huntsberger were volunteering. Other volunteers include Kim and Erich Hoehne.

“Oh, we’re here all the time,” said Huntsberger as she arranged children’s coats on a circular rack. “We’re Koats 4 Kids, but we have clothing for everyone, adults, too.”

Huntsberger said she is perplexed by the seasonal demand.

“This year, it’s children’s boots,” she said, referring to the current need. “Some years, it’s mittens. This year it’s kids’ boots. We just don’t have enough children’s boots.”

On this day, Burnell and Huntsberger were assisting Madison Hurst, 4, of Libby. Madison got a new coat, large enough to fit her growth spurt well into spring, Burnell asserted, urging her to try one a size larger.

“This one fits just a little better,” Burnell said in a grandmotherly way.

The generosity didn’t stop there.

Madison was fitted with a matching stocking cap, mittens and new boots, just her size.

“This is great,” said Madison’s mother, Shawna Hurst.

Koats 4 Kids runs solely on donations. There are several drop-off locations in Libby, including Rosaurers, Ace Home Center, Managhan’s Furniture, Libby Drug and The Dollar Store. Koats 4 Kids also accepts monetary donations, which sometimes is necessary to meet need.

To contribute, drop clothing off at any of the are boxes, Asa Wood during Kloset hours or call either Peppenger at 334-1156 or Huntsberger at 293-5363.