by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (NOV 13/96) - With kids growing like weeds, there's always outgrown winter coats about, so now there's a place to donate them for needy kids.

And for all those needy parents who can't keep up with how fast their kids are growing, the city's first coat trade-in at the YM/YWCA for needy people is the answer to costly winter apparel.

Parents can drop off winter coats their children have outgrown at the Yellowknife fire hall.

Organized by the YM/YWCA, Coats for Kids runs until Nov. 24, when the coats will be delivered to children in need, free of charge.

Chris Ives of the YM/YWCA first thought of Coats for Kids after he saw a little girl in Yellowknife without a warm coat on.

"I thought she looked like she needed a coat," he said. "I thought it was an idea that would work here."

There was also a Coats for Kids in Truro, N.S., where he lived before he moved to Yellowknife last year.

"We decided on the fire department because everyone knows where it is and it's open 24 hours a day," said Ives.

The drive isn't restricted to coats, though. Acceptable are any winter wear like hats, mittens, and boots.

Ives is also hoping the event will be become annual in Yellowknife.

Parents can also drop off coats at the Gerry Murphy Arena Nov. 17.