by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 22/97) - The YWCA, the Salvation Army and Yellowknife firefighters have teamed up to ensure city children have warm coats this winter.

It's called Coats for Kids, and it begins this Saturday.

"We're looking for all forms of children's winter clothing -- hats, toques, gloves, coats," said deputy fire chief Mike Lowing, who's allowing the fire hall to be used a drop-off depot.

The program, which was launched last year, will continue for two weeks.

Once the clothes are collected, they will be taken down to the Salvation Army to be distributed to the public.

"Last year the generosity of Yellowknifers was very substantial. People came in with garbage-bag loads."

Peter Skoropad, with Salvation Army's community services department, said they are operating on a voucher system with the program.

People in the community will be referred by different community agencies, such as the Women's Centre and YWCA.

They will be given voucher to redeem at the Sally Ann for a coat.

"The voucher system is used to stop any duplicity," said Skoropad. It will also prevent abuse of the program, he said.

But basically, he said, need is the only criteria.