CAC working with Maricopa center to collect winter clothing

Despite 100-degree temperatures in late September, winters in Arizona can be frosty enough to require warm outerwear.

And while the thought of donating a coat for an individual or family in need often doesn’t equate with thermometers rocketing skyward, warm apparel in the winter is desperately needed in Pinal County.

Starting Oct. 1 and lasting through Oct. 31, Central Arizona College’s support association will orchestrate its 3rd Annual Coat Drive.

Collection is being conducted throughout Pinal County, with drop-off points designated at Central Arizona College’s Signal Peak and Aravaipa campuses, and at its centers in Casa Grande, Coolidge, Florence and Maricopa. CAC’s Corporate Center on I-10 in Casa Grande also has been chosen as a drop-off location.

During the inaugural drive in 2006, 43 coats and sweaters were received along with 62 other pieces of winter garb. Last year approximately 150 coats were donated, while blankets that were dropped off were sent to the Superstition Mountain Campus for its Blanket Drive.

“We are again accepting donations of new and used coats as well as other items to help keep people warm during the cold weather,” Yolanda Talamantez said. “In addition to coats and sweaters, we need blankets, mittens, gloves, socks and knit caps. We need all sizes for men, women and children.”

The support association will distribute the items through various charities such as the Seeds of Hope – an organization that ministers to the homeless, needy children and the working poor.

“We are also open to requests from organizations and charities that are trying to fulfill a need to keep people warm during the winter,” Levi Hamilton, who works in the accounts payable department at Central Arizona College, added. “In 2006 we had a call from a group that really needed children’s coats, and we were able to help them out.”

Although this is just the third year for the coat drive, members of the support association have conducted numerous charity campaigns over the years, including collecting backpacks and distributing food baskets during holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“We hope people will not only open their hearts but also their closets again this year,” Talamantez said.

For more information, please contact the following CAC employees:

Levi Hamilton (520-494-5246 / [email protected])
Yolanda Talamantez (520-494-5006 / [email protected])
Jeanette Verduzco (520-494-5111 / [email protected])
Elda Muñoz (520-357-2808 / [email protected])

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