Students in Transition coat drive in Carson City begins

The McKinney-Vento Students in Transition program is starting its annual winter coat drive and is looking for donations.

The coat drive helps provide jackets, coats and hoodies to Carson City students who may not be able to afford one.

Peggy Sweetland, special project coordinator and McKinney Vento program liason, said this year they are also trying to collect hoodies and sweatshirts for the high school students, because she has received feedback the older students don’t want winter jackets.

“I have been told that some of the high school students don’t want coats because those aren’t ‘cool’ anymore,” Sweetland said.” So we will also be trying to collect hoodies for those students, which would be good because they are a little less expensive than coats so we may be able to have more of those donated.”

Right now, the organization has about 40 coats, but their goal is to get nearly 400 before they end the program around Thanksgiving.

Sweetland said the drive has been successful in past years, and they are switching it up a little this year. Previously, the organization would take almost every coat and wash the ones that were a little worn in, but due to lack of space and resources this year, Sweetland is asking for just new coats.

“I am just excited to get these coats and hoodies in and see all of those students’ smiling faces,” Sweetland said.

The coats will be delivered throughout the inter-district mail to each school where the coats will be passed out discreetly to students by nurses, counselors and other faculty.

Anyone can drop off coats to the McKinney-Vento building at which is located at 618 W. Musser Street behind the Professional Development Center between 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Fingerprinting Express located at 1958 E. William Street or at Superior Door and Window located at 144 S. Curry Street.