As the temperatures drop, the needs among Carson City's children are on the rise.
"With the cold snap that we had this last week, my phone started ringing off the wall," said Peggy Sweetland, director of the Carson City School District's Children in Transition program. "Usually, we ease into it a little bit."
Sweetland is asking the community to supply jackets, coats and sweatshirts for the 240 children in the program, which serves students living in motels, campgrounds, cars or doubling up with other families.
"It's important they have coats so they can get to school comfortable and be able to start classes ready to learn," she said. "Having warm winter attire really helps keep the sick days down. Their academic achievement stays high if they stay warm, dry and healthy."
The program will be collecting coats through Nov. 30. Sweetland said she extended the deadline to include Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when many retailers offer deep discounts.
"Prices are really good on that day," she said. "I got some really cool coats from that last year."
She said all sizes are needed from kindergarten through adult. New and clean, gently used coats are accepted. She asked they also be age appropriate.
With the standard student attire regulations at the middle and elementary schools, she said, sweatshirts should be red, navy blue or white. Pull-overs with no zippers, hoods or logos are required.
She said the need is immediate.
"As they come in the door, they're going out the door," she said. "The same day or the next."
Donations may be dropped off 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Children in Transition, or McKinney Vento, office in the Gleason Building, 604 W. Musser St.
"Last year, there was such a great outpouring," Sweetland said. I hope this year will be the same."
You Can Help
Donations can be dropped off 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Children in Transition, or McKinney Vento, office in the Gleason Building, 604 W. Musser St. Monetary donations are also accepted.
Call Peggy Sweetland at 775-283-1537 for more information.
