LEWISTON – “It’s been a warm fall, and it will be a while before we see a lot of snow, but we want Maine children to have the winter clothing they need when the cold weather arrives this winter,” said Maine Family Federal Credit Union Marketing Director Karen Caouette.

“The earlier we start collecting coats for WCSH-TV’s annual Coats for Kids drive and toys for the Salvation Army to distribute during the holidays, the more we can help our community family,” she said.

Last year, the credit union collected more than four carloads of Coats for Kids. Credit union members, tellers, staff, relatives and friends cleaned out their closets and brought in coats and jackets of all sizes to donate. Once again this year, the coats will be cleaned by Pratt Abbott and distributed by the Salvation Army.

“By launching our drive in October,” Caouette said, “we’re hoping to surpass last year’s count and collect even more coats to donate. Since there is such a need for toys as well, we’ve added bins in both our Lewiston and Auburn branches and now we’re also collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys for the Salvation Army to distribute during the holidays.”

Collection boxes will be located in the Maine Family Federal Credit Union’s two branches, 555 Sabattus St., Lewiston, and 831 Minot Ave., Auburn, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15.

The lobbies are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Coats in good, used condition and new, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at either location.

More information about the Coats for Kids Drive is available through links on the Web at www.mainefamilyfcu.com and www.wcsh6.com.