Rotary's Coats for Kids Program Continues
to Meet Community Need
The Rotary Club of Marshalltown's Coats for Kids program, established in 2014 under the leadership of then-President Bonnie Lowry, continues to make a lasting impact on local families. Twelve years later, the service project remains a cornerstone of Rotary's commitment to helping children in need throughout Marshall County.
This year, under the leadership of Julie Hitchins and Mary K. Curley, Rotary distributed 360 coats to students attending Marshalltown Community School District, East Marshall Community School District, and West Marshall Community School District schools. In addition, Lennox Industries generously provided coats specifically for students at Rogers Elementary School.
Coats distributed through the Rotary program were provided to Anson, Franklin, Fisher, Hoglan, and Woodbury Elementary Schools; Lenihan and Miller Middle Schools; Marshalltown High School; Marshalltown Learning Academy; East Marshall and West Marshall Elementary Schools; and CAPS (Child, Adolescent and Parent Support Services).
The success of the Coats for Kids program is made possible through the dedication and generosity of Rotary members who contribute their time, talent, and treasure. Financial donations enabled Rotary to purchase more than 300 new coats in sizes ranging from 2T to Adult XXL. Members also donated gently used coats and purchased additional coats from local thrift stores to help meet community needs.
Rotarians Cindy and Chris Brodin further strengthened the program by donating a storage unit to house the growing inventory of coats.
Members from both the Rotary Noon Club and Rotary Evening Club volunteered numerous hours organizing donations, sorting coats by size, filling school requests, and making deliveries throughout the county.
Those who helped coordinate the project included Julie Hitchins, Mary K. Curley, Laurie Gowdy, Paulla Hartman, and Marci Burns. Delivery volunteers included Doug and PJ Joslin, Jeannine Campbell, Sue Cahill, David Hopp, Alex Johnson, Jade McCoy and Zavier Juel, a member of LUCC (Leaders Uplifting Community with Charity), a youth philanthropy organization directed by Julie Hitchins through the Community Foundation of Marshall County.
"Our goal is to continue this program into the next school year and beyond," organizers said. "The need is evident, and we are grateful for the community's continued support."
Community members interested in donating gently used, washable coats or jackets may contact Mary K. Curley at marykcurley@gmail.com. Financial contributions to support the purchase of new coats may be mailed to: Rotary Foundation of Marshall County P.O. Box 64 Marshalltown, IA 50158. Please note "Coats for Kids" on your donation. The Rotary Foundation of Marshall County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and monetary contributions may be tax deductible as allowed by law.
Rotarian Paulla Hartman & East Marshall School nurse, Kelsey Cole
Rotarians Belinda Blackburn & Betty Bolar with Miller school nurse Christina Bonzer
Rotarian Sue Cahill with Woodbury School Resource Spec Samantha Baedke & Nurse Jessic Molitor
Rotarian Sue Cahill with Lenihan school nurse Toni Freese
Rotarian Jeanine Campbell with Chit Phuu @ Marshalltown Learning Academy
Zavier Juel (right) LUCCI delivers coats to West Marshall with School Nurse McKenna Grunhovd (left) and Briley Oehlertz (middle) Guidance Councilor
Rotarian Mary K Curley with Rotarian Linda Havelka director of CAPS
Rotarians Doug & PJ Joslin with school nurse Stacey Tool-Crawford at MHS
Anson School Nurse Monica Blanchard with coats delivered by Rotarian Laurie Gowdy
Rotarian Laure Gowdy with Fisher School Nurse Heather Van Buren
Rotarians David Hopp & Alex Johnson with Franklin School nurses Brittany Applegate & Julianna Negrete-Perez
Rotarians Tom and Jade McCoy with Hoglan School nurse Maria Aguilar