Need surpassing supply during Lyon coat drive

Central Lyon Health Connection's annual coat drive is underway, and all indications are showing the need this year is greater than the supply.

"Dayton High Schools' Stand Tall group just finished their collection and where we normally receive about 15 bags, we got eight," said Laverne Jeffreys, drive organizer and volunteer connections coordinator.

"I've received numerous calls from Silver Springs and Dayton and we are going to need far more."

Stand Tall students from Dayton Intermediate also have collected coats.

Through Monday, folks are asked to drop off clean winter coats, jackets, sweatshirts and hoodies at Greater Nevada Credit Union on Highway 50 during regular business hours, at the Community Center on Pike Street, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or at Riverview School in Mark Twain before 3 p.m.

There also have been numerous requests for jeans for middle and high school-aged boys, based on parent phone calls and Christmas gift distribution requests, Jeffreys said.

"Wendy (Madson), is organizing the toy drive and said there have been more requests for coats and clothing, rather than toys," she said.

The supply usually balances out with demand, but indicators are not positive for that happening this year, Jeffreys said.

"At Thanksgiving, we do about eight food baskets, but this year we put together 20," she said. "I know that I need more coats; with three places collecting and being this low, it's not good."

There are no forms to fill out to receive a coat. Word has gone out through the schools, Human Services and Mental Health and all recipients must do is show up.

Coats will be distributed 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St. For information, contact Jeffreys at 246-7550.

• Karel Ancona-Henry can be reached at kanconahenry@sierranevadamedia.com or at 246-4000.