Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 13/98) - Parents who have a hard time keeping their kids in winter gear because of how quickly they're growing, now have an answer to their headaches.

The Yellowknife fire department, in conjunction with the YWCA, is collecting winter clothing for needy kids as part of the coats for kids program, now in its third year running.

Deputy fire Chief Mike Lowing said parents can drop off the gear at the fire hall Nov. 10-16. After that time, the coats will be available for pick-up at the Salvation Army.

"We're acting as a collection agency," he said.

Lowing said the drive is geared mainly toward winter clothing, but other coats will be accepted as well.

"If somebody brings something down, we won't turn it away," he said.

"It's to help out families in need."

They decided to run the program in November, he added, because of the drop in temperature and the expense many parents have to go through to outfit their children for the upcoming cold season.

"It's usually in October when the parkas come out and parents say, 'oops, my children outgrew them,'" he said.

Last year, the department managed to collect 15 boxes of the winter wear, which were dispersed throughout the community to those children in need of warm clothing.

"The response is really very good -- it's really a community thing," Lowing said.