Bank of Jackson helping keep children warm in winter

The autumn season has been pretty mild so far, but winter will eventually arrive and bring a cold snap with it.

The Bank of Jackson's Anita Kay Archer is aware of this pending drop in temperature, and that's why she's once again coordinating the Coats for Kids coat drive for Washington Douglass Head Start in East Jackson.

"Jerry Woods is the head of that school, and he and I discussed earlier this fall the need for coats there, and we're glad to help," Archer said.

She said they are collecting 144 total coats - 73 girls' and 71 boys' coats.

The Bank of Jackson is also taking monetary donations to pay for coats as well.

"We'll take money or coat donations, either one," Archer said. "And the monetary donations are good because as coats are dropped off here at the bank, then we're able to keep track of how many we have in each size.

"We know how many in each size we need. If we need a lot of coats in a certain size but don't get a lot, then we at the bank go to the store as a group and go coat shopping."

Sizes needed are 2-6 toddler size, and donations can be made at any Bank of Jackson location including 420 Oil Well Road, 132 West University Parkway and 558 Carriage House Drive.

“We’ll take new coats or gently used coats,” Archer said. “All gently used coats are taken to West Side Cleaners and taken care of there so they’re able to be presented to the children.”

Archer said that part is her favorite part.

“To see the looks on the children’s faces when they find out they get to pick out their own,” Archer said. “We’ve been doing this a few years, and that part never gets old.”

The coats will be delivered to Washington-Douglass sometime before Christmas at school one morning.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news