Pictured from left are Kris Underwood, WRSW; Peggi Lisenbee Wright, Combined Community Services; Steve Grashoff, Peerless Cleaners; Kris Lake, WRSW; Jay Michaels, Kerlin Motor Company; Shane Salyer, Kerlin Motor Co.; Valerie Warner, Kerlin Western & Work Wear; Jeremy Kilgore, WRSW, Steve Possell, CCS. (Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

SILVER LAKE — The Kosciusko County community is changing the way many local residents see, and feel, winter weather. Whether beautiful or tragic, the snowfall in Warsaw, Winona Lake, Silver Lake and other local communities can cause more problems than just traffic delays.

For some members of the community, winter means a lack of warmth. In 1999, Valerie Warner and her brother, Rick Kerlin, realized they could lend a helping hand to prevent men, woman and children from freezing for the season. This year marks the 17th year of Warner and Kerlin collecting coats during their annual coat drive, the solution to many chilly people. “We were really feeling like we wanted to do something to help our community,” said Warner.

Speaking with Warner, it is easy to see she has a passion for the people in her community. She reached out to other local businesses, and found helping hands in every direction. Warner reaches out to all of the Warsaw Community Schools to collect coats of all sizes, shapes and conditions. There are five area drop sites set up throughout Warsaw.

The annual coat drive lasts for three weeks, and Warner has never been disappointed with the results. During the past 17 years, the program has collected 18,872 coats for the winter months. “We just want them to have a coat if they need one,” said Warner, explaining she and her brother insisted the coats be easily accessible to any and all, and it remain as anonymous as possible. Warner said the idea behind the drive is many adults, especially seniors in the community, may have an old or spare coat tucked in the back of their closet that could be put to better use. Community members simply drop off the coat directly from the closet, and Warner collects the coats to be cleaned or laundered if needed.

Warner collects the coats from the drop sites in a large trailer, and brings them back to sort “literally one by one,” according to Warner, with the help of many co-workers. The coats are divided into three piles — brand new, sent to laundry or sent to be dry cleaned. After the coats are cleaned and organized, volunteers pack them into an empty trailer, filled with organizers allowing the coats to be hung and arranged by size.

The trailer is parked in front of Combined Community Services in Warsaw, and allows anybody access during business hours to anonymously visit the trailer. “I think people are genuine,” said Warner. “I don’t think they take more than they need.” Public members who are in need of a coat can visit the trailer without filling out any paperwork or prove need. Warner said one of the best things about the coat drive is people who are in need of a coat this season may be the same people who are able to donate next year. This year’s drive ended in mid October.

Warner said CCS has been an integral part of getting the coats in the hands of people who need them. Volunteers looking to help with future projects can contact Combined Community Services at (574) 269-6019.