It started as a simple request from one lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard, but it has grown into a massive coat collecting effort.
And the generous donations from the Mid–West will soon make their way to the Mid–East.
A room full of volunteers spent the day packing boxes full of coats.
Soon, the boxes will be shipped to needy children in Afghanistan.
Kim Jochem organized this effort after a conversation with her husband, who is a lieutenant colonel stationed in Afghanistan.
“The kids are wearing summer clothes and shivering. He called me and asked me if we could send some coats for the kids, so that is how the coats for tots program started, the drive," says Jochem.
The drive involved volunteers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.
This group is already planning a second drive. Next time they plan to collect shoes for kids in Afghanistan.
