FARMINGTON — Anyone with a gently-worn coat to give away is invited to drop it off at Franklin Savings Bank during the Chester Greenwood Day Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.

FSB staffers will serve hot chocolate and popcorn outside the bank while collecting coats during the parade.

After the parade, a collection box will be available in the Farmington customer service lobby as well as Western Mountain Financial Services on Front Street. Collection boxes will also be at Franklin Savings Bank locations in Jay, Rangeley, Skowhegan, Rumford, Mexico and Wilton through Dec. 30, enabling families to pass on coats after Christmas.

Franklin Savings Bank, through the Maine Bankers Association, is sponsoring Coats for Kids Day throughout Maine. By sponsoring Coats for Kids Day, the member banks of the Maine Bankers Association have collectively made a donation to the Salvation Army. All the coats from all locations in the state are sent to Portland for cleaning. The Salvation Army then distributes the cleaned coats throughout the state to needy families.

“We are thrilled to be able to participate in this great cause and having the kickoff during Chester Greenwood Day makes it all the more festive,” said Anna Lyon, marketing director at Franklin Savings Bank and chairman of the Maine Bankers Association Marketing and Communications Committee.

“Kids grow so quickly that families often find they have perfectly good coats that no longer fit. Meanwhile, other families find that same ‘quick growth’ makes it difficult to keep their kids in warm, properly fitting coats. This is a perfect opportunity for us all to work together to keep kids warm,” she said.

Last year was the first year the Maine Bankers Association and Franklin Savings Bank participated in the Coats for Kids program. “It was very touching to see the many coats come in. A surprising number of people donated brand new coats to the cause,” Lyon said. Overall, 13 participating banks collected more than 1,200 coats.

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