The Benchmark Realty Group annual kid coat drive is gearing up for distribution and is still taking donations

This is the ninth annual kids coat drive that the Benchmark Realty Group is hosting. They have collected more than one hundred coats and jackets and they are still taking donations.

“We are now collecting lightly used and mostly new coats that will be distributed to the Boys and Girls Club,” said Tom Hiller, the broker-owner of Benchmark Realty Group.

The kid coat drive ends next week on Wednesday. Their goal is to distribute what they have collected before the kids go on their winter break. The Boys and Girls Club serves children from ages five to 18 so they are asking people to donate new or clean gently used coats sizes five-T through adult extra large. 

“There’s drop boxes like this one overflowing throughout Eureka and there’s one at Hummel Tire in Fortuna,” Hiller said. “Beyond that anybody can call our office and we can come pick up coats from you and we also take cash donations as well, which we’ll go out and buy additional coats.”

Here is a list of different donation sites:

Benchmark Realty Group
818 6th Street, Eureka

Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods
3117 Prospect Ave, Eureka

St. Bernard’s High School
222 Dollison Street, Eureka

Winship Middle School
2500 Cypress Avenue, Eureka

Hummel Tire and Wheel
260 S. Fortuna Blvd, Fortuna

Cutten Elementary
4182 Walnut Drive, Eureka

Ridgewood Elementary
2060 Ridgewood Drive, Eureka

Hiller said that the kid coat drive originated from a need at local schools when an employee saw kids without coats or jackets during the wintertime.

“It’s been very, very rewarding,” Hiller said. “And the kids are absolutely appreciative of getting a coat. So it’s kind of sad that a lot of kids in this county wouldn’t have one otherwise. But it’s also heartwarming that the community steps up and donates as much as they do.”