FREEPORT – Maine Area Agencies on Aging and Triad will collect winter coats for seniors during the weekend of Nov. 21 to 23 at L.L.Bean’s flagship Store. The agencies on aging will distribute the coats to older Mainers in need. The effort is among the first in the country to collect coats specifically for seniors.

Realizing many of the elderly may not have warm winter clothing, the agencies and Triad decided to assist. Graham Newson, who works with all of the agencies, said, “Many older Mainers are struggling to prepare for winter. Having one of these warm coats can make all the difference.”

“Now is the time for Mainers to search through closets for coats to share with members of the community who are especially vulnerable this year,” said Connie Lewis of Triad.

The event will kick off on Friday, Nov. 21, just before L.L.Bean’s Christmas Tree Lighting at 7 p.m. in L.L.Bean’s Discovery Park. Volunteers from Triad and the agency will be on hand collecting coats. For every coat collected over the weekend, L.L.Bean will make a $10 donation to the Keep ME Warm fund.

For more information, contact Betsy Cantrell at 386-0508.

Area agencies on aging are nonprofit agencies funded by federal and state governments as well as grants. They promote independence, dignity and self-sufficiency for Maine’s older adults with information, services and counseling.

Triad is a national partnership with 16 chapters in Maine. Law enforcement, social services and seniors work together to reduce the criminal victimization of older persons and improve the quality of life of seniors, focusing on education and safety.