Grayslake Fire District seeks coat donations

The Grayslake Fire District is hosting a coat drive to collect clean, gently-worn or new coats between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. now through Dec. 15 in the front vestibule at all three of their fire stations.

Adult and children's size coats XL, 2XL, and 3XL are in demand, but any new or like-new used and clean coat is accepted.

• Fire Station 1: 160 Hawley St., Grayslake, across from The Freeze.

• Fire Station 2: 1200 Brae Loch Road, Grayslake, on the CLC Campus.

• Fire Station 3: 22405 W. Behm Road, Grayslake, near Route 60 and Peterson Road.

Area residents are invited to make a difference in the local community by donating to the coat drive and helping reach the goal of 500 coats. Coats will benefit Nicasa, a not-for-profit health services organization building brighter futures for vulnerable, at-risk children, adults, and families in Lake County and Northern Illinois.

For details, visit nicasa.org.

"We are excited about our upcoming One Warm Coat drive and invite the community to participate and support our efforts. The need for shelter from the elements, like food and clean water, is especially urgent, as 37 million Americans are living at or below the poverty level and struggling to afford necessities. All the coats we collect will be distributed in our community and help our neighbors stay safe and warm this winter," Grayslake Fire Districts Deputy Chief Joris Lillge said.

Last year, more than 550,000 coats were distributed across the United States to children and adults in need through One Warm Coat's programs.

"We're grateful to our volunteer Coat Drive Ambassadors like the firefighters of the Grayslake Fire District. It's because of our incredible volunteers that so many coats are given a second life protecting our neighbors in need. Thanks to the Grayslake Fire District's efforts, many people in this community will be warm this winter," said Beth W. Amodio, president and CEO of One Warm Coat.