The collecting of coats has concluded in Portage la Prairie and this year's Koats for Kids drive was a tremendous success.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Dawn Froese says they haven't yet counted the coats, but it appears they've seen more coats at the various collection spots.

"In our office, we've always been a depot for the collection of coats, and this year, it seems like there are more than usual, that have been coming into our office, specifically," says Froese. "As well, MacGregor Elementary School brought us three huge garbage bags full of clothes so we're really excited about that."

That's a similar message from United Way Central Plains Executive Director Randi Kehler.

These bags, provided by MacGregor Elementary, were filled with coats."We've gotten more coats this year, than we did in the office last year," says Kehler. "We are very excited about the Treherne Collegiate Institute Youth in Philanthropy program. They did a coat drive in Treherne and the surrounding communities, and brought us four huge boxes of coats, as well as a couple of bags."

Getting the surrounding communities involved was key, according to Froese, who adds this is not just a Portage program.

"It's really helpful because we also open up this program to them, that they can come in and pick up coats for those people in their community who need it," says Froese. "Rather than having a lot of Koats for Kids running, we have one big one running, but the rural (communities) are a part of that."

Now the focus turns to distribution. Each Thursday in November, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., you can pick-up a coat from the Youth for Christ building in Portage, using the back alley entrance.

If you have any questions, contact Dawn Froese at 204-857-4397 or Randi Kehler at 204-857-4440.