Coats for Kids collects coats at North County sites ahead of December distributions
Volunteers at a past Coats for Kids distribution. Photo courtesy of Coats for Kids of SLO County.
Collection boxes at dozens of North County sites ahead of Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 events
– Coats for Kids of SLO County is collecting new and gently used coats, jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts at drop-off locations across North County ahead of its December distributions, according to the organization.
The group has provided warm clothing to qualified North County families for 39 years. It serves about 750 families a year and typically distributes some 3,000 items for children and adults, according to its website.
This year’s distributions are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Atascadero Printery, 6351 Olmeda Ave., for Atascadero and Templeton families, and Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Ave. The Atascadero event is a program of the Atascadero Rotary Club. The Paso Robles event is a program of the Paso Robles Rotary clubs and is held with the Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles’ Day of Giving. Paso Robles Daily News previously reported that Toy Bank registration for toys and winter coats is open through Sunday, Nov. 22.
Donors can place clean coats and clothing in a collection box. Items that need cleaning can be dropped off at Plaza Cleaners in Paso Robles and Atascadero or at Fashion Cleaners in Atascadero, which clean them free of charge. Donors should say “Coats for Kids” at drop-off, and a committee member will pick the items up.
Collection boxes are placed at businesses, churches, schools, and other sites in Paso Robles, Atascadero, Templeton, and Santa Margarita. In Paso Robles, they include the Paso Robles Youth Arts Center at 3201 Spring St., which accepts donations Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, and American Riviera Bank. In Atascadero, sites include the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce and Atascadero United Methodist Church.
Monetary donations are tax-deductible and preferred by check, payable to the Atascadero Rotary Club or the Paso Robles Rotary Club with “Coats for Kids” on the memo line. Volunteers are also needed to help with collection boxes, transportation, setup, and working with families at the distributions.
Barbie Butz started Coats for Kids in 1987 through the Los Niños Auxiliary of Children’s Home Society, and the first year served about 40 people. She and her husband, John, handed leadership to the North County Rotary clubs after the 2025 distribution.
For drop-off locations and more information, visit www.coatsforkidsslocounty.org/donate.
