Winter is approaching – and no one should have to go without such a basic necessity as a coat!

Once again Central Monitoring is teaming up with the Food Bank of Southwest Georgia to collect new and gently used coats to distribute – free of charge -- to local children and adults. The Albany “One Warm Coat” project is being held in collaboration with a national endeavor with the same name. Coats of all sizes are welcome; children’s sizes are most needed.

“The program is an easy way for all of us to pass along coats and jackets that we no longer need,” said Central Monitoring Owner/President Judy Randle. “Our donations of something so simple and so essential may very well turn out to be the best holiday gift received by many people in our community.”

With the help of the Albany Fire Department, Central Monitoring is making donating a coat simple: Coats may be taken to any Albany fire station or to Central Monitoring’s headquarters at 522 Pine Ave. From there, Central Monitoring will collect the coats and give them to the Food Bank, which will distribute them locally.

While this important community project will continue through the holiday season, the sooner the coats are donated, the sooner they will be provided to families that need them. So we encourage people to make the donations now.

The Albany “One Warm Coat” project’s official kickoff was November 1, 2010. The “One Warm Coat” project will run through January 19, 2011. The One Warm Coat hotline is 229-434-1176

“ONE WARM COAT”

Who: Sponsored by Central Monitoring on behalf of Second Harvest Food Bank of Southwest Georgia

What: The community is requested to donate new and gently used coats which will be given free of charge to local families

Where: Donated coats are being collected at all Albany Fire Stations and Central Monitoring, 522 Pine Ave.

When: November 5th thru January 19, 2011

Why: To ensure that everyone in our community has a warm coat this winter

Info: 434-1176