A little girl waited in line with her family hoping to receive a winter coat through the Coats for Kids program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 5548. Mark Cariveau, co-chair of the initiative, watched her face light up when she received a pink coat with a fur-lined hood.
“She was so happy — she wore it like she was a princess. It was fun to see her joy,” he said.
Coats for Kids is a free distribution of winter apparel for everyone from infants to adults.
Ione Jacobs and her husband, Tom, were the program’s co-chairs for many years. As members of St. Peter Parish in St. Cloud, part of the Together as One ACC, they began assisting Coats for Kids about 10 years ago, Ione said, with Tom as a Knight and her as part of their auxiliary.
“This ministry keeps people warm and provides outerwear for those who can’t purchase winter clothing,” Ione said. “The first years, we’d give out 300 or 400 coats, but the need has increased. Last year we gave out more than 1,700 coats and that doesn’t include boots and snow pants.”
When Tom died last spring, Mark stepped in to honor Tom and assist Ione. He coordinates and delivers collection boxes to churches, picks up donations and helps Ione sort the coats.
“Ione is the lifeblood of the Coats for Kids program,” he said. “Without her energy and enthusiasm, it would not have gotten to this point.”
Ione gathers winter gear all year long — at garage sales, at church rummage sales, at local thrift stores. Collection boxes are located at many area Catholic churches. Knitters at the Sartell Senior Center donate hats and scarves. And if an item needs a new zipper, they have a woman who can replace it or do other needed mending.
Although the program’s name implies the coats are for kids, Mark said they are often able to equip the whole family.
“Maybe we should call it Coats for Families!” he said. “Some families return every year, in need of new jackets to fit growing children. And they bring last year’s jackets which their children outgrew to donate. It’s their way of giving back and supporting this important resource.”
Last year the program donated winter gear through Catholic Charities, Head Start, Homeless Helping Homeless, Tri Valley Head Start, Hands Across the World, schools in Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud, including Quarry View (community education), Dream Center, Journey Home, Promise Neighborhood, St. Cloud Community Outpost, Hagen Center, Anna Marie’s Alliance, TAO (social justice for various immigrants) and Pathways for Youth.
“People are so thankful. We got an amazing note — a child had received a coat and the child’s mother was so grateful she wrote a thank you to the Head Start teachers who then shared it with us,” Ione said.
Two October events are scheduled for Oct. 12 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N. in St. Cloud.
“People might be picking out items for another who can’t physically get here. Or if some can’t get to the distribution days, I’ve even delivered clothing to them,” Ione said. “We don’t turn anyone away and don’t ask anything of those who come. There’s such a big need — and it feels so good to help.”