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HARVEY -- Winter in the Upper Peninsula is not something residents can afford to take lightly.
Cold temperatures, snow and bitter winds are part of life for months each year, making a warm coat a necessity rather than a luxury. For local families struggling to make ends meet, however, purchasing adequate winter clothing can be another expense they simply cannot afford.
That is where Operation Winter Wear comes in.
Silver Creek Church and Silver Creek Thrift will once again join forces Oct. 14-16 to provide new and like-new coats and winter clothing to area individuals and families in need.
The annual outreach will be held at Silver Creek Church, 219 Silver Creek Road, in Harvey.
"Operation Winter Wear" will distribute clothing by appointment Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Thursday, Oct. 15. Appointments will begin at noon, with the final appointment scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Residents also may attend without an appointment Friday, Oct. 16, from noon to 3 p.m.
Appointments can be made beginning Monday, Sept. 28, by calling 906-249-1715 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Appointments will be taken until all available times are filled, with Oct. 12 the final day to schedule an appointment.
But organizers say the program depends on another essential resource: community generosity.
Residents who have new or like-new adult or children’s coats they no longer need are encouraged to donate them to the effort. Donations can be dropped off at Silver Creek Church or at Silver Creek Thrift, now located at 190 W. Wright Place in Harvey.
For families already facing difficult financial decisions, a winter coat can represent a significant expense. Operation Winter Wear offers an opportunity for neighbors to help make sure those families are not forced to face an Upper Peninsula winter without adequate protection from the cold.
The program also illustrates the continuing role local organizations and volunteers play in addressing basic needs in the community.
Organizers caution that specific sizes and clothing items cannot be guaranteed, making early participation and donations particularly important.
For information about appointments or the clothing drive, contact Kay Bammert at 906-249-1715 or info@silvercreekchurch.org.