Coat drive charity Dec. 20

Help others stay warm this holiday season by donating coats and outwear to The Kids Care Coat Drive. The annual coat drive is a community service project supported by the City of Bellevue Youth Link and area schools with the purpose of collecting and distributing much-needed coats during the cold winter months.

Lake Street Bar & Grill in Kirkland will host a charity donation night on Dec. 20 beginning at 8 p.m. to collect coats and warm clothing. The restaurant is located at 15 Lake Street, Suite 203.

Created by Bellevue student Rick Teegarden in 2004, the annual coat drive has brought in more than 3,000 pieces of outwear over the past four years. Teegarden first saw a need for warm coats while volunteering with Youth Links “Teen Closet.” He has since gone on to partner with numerous charities and social service organizations.

New and gently used coats can be dropped off at collection boxes found at Crossroads Shopping Center, Sammamish High School, Overlake School and International School. The Factoria Security Self Storage donates space during the months of December and January for Teegarden and volunteers to collect and organize the clothing donations prior to the distribution event at Crossroads Community Center on Jan. 9.

If you are interested in helping out at the distribution event, contact Patrick Alina 425-452-5254. For more information visit www.youthlink.com.