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Giveways

Coat drive, 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Little Hocking United Methodist Church, located at the corner of County Road 26 and State Route 124

"Clothing and More Giveaway," 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Gilman United Methodist Church, 312 Gilman Ave., Marietta.

Coats for Kids, coats can be dropped off at the Dime Bank on the corner of Putnam and Second Streets in Marietta, Belpre, Marietta and Reno Peoples Bank locations, the O'Neill Center, The Marietta Times, the Washington Electric Cooperative office and Marietta's elementary and middle schools.

With the winter season quickly approaching and the economy still struggling, some local organizations are providing opportunities for community members to obtain free gently used items they need, such as winter clothing.

The Little Hocking United Methodist Church will hold a coat drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday and again on Nov. 13-14. Church and community members have donated more than 500 coats to be given away, along with clothing, boots, gloves and scarves. There will be gently used and new items for children and adults.

This is the sixth year for the event, which attracts people from near and far.

"A lady called from Albany because she has three children and she asked if she can get coats for all of them. Last year, a gentleman from New Martinsville, (W.Va.), saw an advertisement for the event in the newspaper and donated 12 brand new coats to be given away," said Lois Knadler, who is coordinating the event.

Knadler added that there is no limit on the number of items an individual can take.

The Gilman United Methodist Church on Gilman Avenue in Marietta will also hold its bi-annual "Clothing and More Giveaway" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

"There are lots of clothes, but plenty of other things like household items and baby toys," said the Rev. Diann O'Bryant, pastor at the church.

Event attendees will be offered a free lunch, and 22 blankets will be given away through a free raffle.

Church and community members have donated items for the event, which draws hundreds of people. More than 30 church members volunteer to help with the event.

"There is a strong feeling within this church that we are here to help our community," O'Bryant said.

The Coats for Kids program will also kick off soon.

"We'll be putting the barrels out either this week or next, and people can drop off coats (for children ages 4 to 18) until Dec. 16," said Pearl Guyer, co-chairwoman of the campaign.

She said there will be barrels at The Marietta Times, the O'Neill Senior Center, the Washington Electric Cooperative building in Marietta and all Peoples Bank locations in Belpre, Marietta and Reno. There will also be barrels at Marietta's elementary schools and the middle school.

Guyer said coats can be picked up at the Dime Bank building, Putnam and Second Street in Marietta, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, excluding Thanksgiving, from Nov. 19 to Dec. 17.