Drumheller Salvation Army’s Lieutenants Dusty and Laurie Sauder show some winter coats gathered during Drumheller Western GM’s Coats for Kids drive held September 24.

    It’s always nice to get more than you expected, especially when it comes to a winter coat drive.
    Drumheller Salvation Army Lieutenant Dusty Sauder said this year’s Western GM’s Coats for Kids September 24 filled the box on both a three-quarter ton pick-up truck and a half-ton pick-up truck. Lt. Sauder estimates this at 20 black garbage bags of winter wear bagged from each truck.
    Donations received from the community include coats, snow pants, mitts, scarves and toques.
    Drumheller’s Shredz donated $4,000 worth of stock to the coat drive, and Canalta purchased all new items to donate.
    “The big thing is, you’re able to give a teenager a coat, with dignity,” said Lt. Sauder.
    Encana’s employee fund contributed $140, which Encana will match, to donate to the Salvation Army.
    Area residents and businesses also dropped by Western GM not only with winter gear, but also to donate $640 in cash.
    With Canalta and Freson Bros. donating the supplies, people purchased barbecued hot dogs at the dealership,  which raised another $208.30 for the Salvation Army.
    Lt. Laurie Sauder said it was wonderful the way Western GM had everything organized.
    Western GM sorted all the winter-wear items and delivered the clean and new items to the Salvation Army, and the remainder was sent to a cleaning company in Red Deer.
    The Salvation Army would like to begin giving away the winter gear as soon as the items are back from the cleaners, which they’re hoping will be early to mid-October.
    The Sauders are grateful and appreciative of all the community support for this program.
    In 2013, Western GM’s Coat for Kids enabled the local Salvation Army to give away coats and outer-wear accessories with an estimated value of $4,000.