BROKEN BOW—Hundreds of winter coats have been collected since 2016 to keep Custer County warm and the BPOE (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) Elks Lodge #1688 located in Broken Bow will be kicking off its annual winter coat drive this month on Monday, October 12, 2020.
The public is invited to donate coats, gloves, socks, mittens, shoes, boots, hats, scarves and other items to the coat drive. Elks member Paul Loy said all items will be collected at the Custer County Chief office (305 S 10th Ave.) beginning October 12 through the end of the year. All items will be given to the Community Connection (837 S D St.) in Broken Bow where they are available free of charge to people who need them.
New and gently used winter wear for children and adults will be accepted, according to Loy. The first local Elks coat drive began in 2016 with 62 coats collected. Last year, 115 coats were collected along with 87 pairs of gloves and 55 pairs of socks.
“It just grows every year,” Loy said. “It’s [the coat drive is] rewarding and successful.”
The Broken Bow Elks Lodge has been serving the local community since 1946. For more information about the coat drive or the Elks, call Paul Loy at 308-870-1562.
