NEWBERRY — Newberry County Recreation Department needs your help. They are in the midst of the 11th Annual Winter Coat Drive, and they are 50 coats short.

In partnership with Newberry County YMCA and the Newberry County School Supply Drive, the Coat Drive collects jackets for children in need. For the seventh year, the coat drive is being held in memory of Donnie Layton who, along with Gerdi Lake and Jerry Coffey, started the drive 11 years ago.

“Winter weather is starting and people are scrambling to find warm coats to wear. With tough economic times, we’re finding more people in need of warm clothing,” Lake said.

The Coat Drive will end on Dec. 13, and 50 additional coats are needed before then. Donors are encouraged to donate gently used winter coats, have them cleaned, and then drop them off at any of the following locations:

Newberry County Annex – 1309 College Street, Newberry

Country Clean Laundry and Dry Cleaning – 1220 Wilson Road, Newberry

Newberry County YMCA – Old Jolly Street Road, Newberry

Prosperity Town Center – 305 N. Main Street, Prosperity.

“Newberry County is committed to programs that are in the spirit of giving back to the community during the holiday season. This is an outstanding program, and I ask each citizen of the County to search his or her closet for a coat that will keep a child warm this winter,” Lake said.

For additional information call Newberry County Recreation Department at 803-924-8328.

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.