Keeping kids warm for the winter

Marisa Morales set her 18-month-son, Junior, on a table while she placed a blue jacket on him.

The youngster looked around at the busy room while his mom zipped it up, checked the fit and made sure there was room to grow. Seeing it was a comfy fit, Morales smiled and moved on to find a coat her herself.

Five-year-old Marcos Morales made his choice — a checkered red and black jacket — quickly because, well, it fit.

The Moraleses were one of many families who searched through piles of jackets and coats during San Bruno’s annual Coats for Kids distribution.

Coats for Kids, a collaboration between the city and Recology San Bruno, is in its 14th year. After a small drop in donations last year, the organizers saw a boost in donations again with 600 coats and over 200 sweatshirts collected, said co-organizer Felicia Neirby.

Families lined up hours before doors opened at 4 p.m. in anticipation of picking a winter coat inside the fireman’s hall Thursday. The line started at 1:30 p.m. by a little boy. It’s the earliest start time the event has seen, said Neirby.

Doors opened just after 4 p.m.

While the line outside went to the end of the block, volunteers inside waited quietly. Tables were labeled by size and balloons acted as a marker for jackets in the center of the room. Mere minutes after the first individuals walked in, a little boy found a black jacket — the first of many matches to be made.

Councilman Ken Ibarra noted how far the event has come over the years.

Volunteers included city employees but also other groups.

Felicia Shaw was one of a number of Gap Inc. employee who volunteered for the event. The employees have a monthly volunteer outing, normally on Fridays, but this was a special occasion.

"It’s really rewarding,” she said.

The room buzzed with children searching for the right color, length or team. San Francisco Giants apparel, along with anything superhero, were in high demand.

The program began years ago when a city employee’s daughter grew too big for a parka. A call to a local school to see if another child could use something warm for the winter inspired a larger collection. At the time, coats were distributed by teacher referrals.

Coats for Kids grew to a citywide event in the years to follow. Today, businesses and city buildings act as donation centers annually for about a month. In addition, San Bruno garbage drivers pick up coats from residents for a week. The drivers also collect the bins from around the city. Coats are then sorted at Recology San Bruno before being distributed.

Local soccer leagues held two "make a difference” days in October which generated more donations.

Notices inviting families to participate in the annual event are sent home from school with children. In addition, homeless individuals who stop in during the day of distribution normally help spread the word to others on the street.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.