Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Officer Christian Byar, center, drops off donated coats from the annual MSP coat drive, to the Marquette Women's Center. Accepting the coats are center officials Andrea Numikoski, left, and Karina Jousma, right. The center distributed the coats to those in need. (Photo courtesy of MSP)

MARQUETTE — Winter’s icy blasts will be easier to handle for some Upper Peninsula residents, courtesy of the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Officers and other agency personnel.

That’s because MSP has recently completed its annual winter coat drive, where new or gently used winter coats are donated to help people in need, according to Lt. Benjamin Eckola, Eighth District public information officer. The MSP Eighth District encompasses all of the Upper Peninsula.

“Everything (coats that are donated) stays local,” Eckola said. “We were able to (gather) 178 coats. Last year, it was 50 so that was a huge increase.”

The Negaunee post, along with the state police posts in Sault Ste. Marie and Gladstone were the principal collection points for the program, now in its fifth year. The Eighth District headquarters in Marquette also collected coats, starting in early November and continuing until Nov. 27.

“It’s for a great cause,” said Eckola. “People … have been supportive.”

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.