FREEPORT — To help ensure that every older Mainer stays warm this winter, volunteers are collecting gently worn, clean adult winter coats at locations across the state. For every coat donated, L.L. Bean will contribute $5 to the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging (M4A) to provide fuel assistance for seniors. Last year, Maine seniors were provided with more than 600 coats and $3,000 in heating assistance.

“With everyone’s help I truly believe we can reach our goal this year of 1,000 coats and $5,000 in heating assistance” says Orion Breen, an organizer for M4A’s Coats for Seniors collection drive.

The last chance to donate coats will be at the L.L. Bean Flagship Store on Main Street in Freeport in the Discovery Lobby during the the kick-off weekend of their Northern Lights Celebration Friday-Sunday, Nov. 22-24. The first 100 people donating coats that weekend will receive a coupon for a free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cone. Additionally, Ben & Jerry’s will give M4A 100 percent of the profits from sundaes sold on Nov. 23 at their Freeport location from noon to 5 p.m.

If you know a senior in need of a winter coat, contact your local Area Agency on Aging for details and assistance at 1-877-353-3771. To find out more information or volunteer at a collection site, visit www.Maine4A.org and click on the “Coats for Seniors” link or email [email protected].

Other collection sites before the weekend of Nov. 22 include:

* SeniorPlus, 8 Falcon Road, Lewiston. Contact Chris Cornish at 795-4010.

* Westrum House, 22 Union Park Road, Topsham.

* The Highlands, 30 Governor’s Way, Topsham.

* Thornton Oaks, 25 Thornton Way, Brunswick.

* Sweetser, 329 Bath Road, Brunswick.

* Pejepscot Terrace, 36 Pejepscot Terrace, Brunswick.

* People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick.

* Mid Coast Senior Health Center, 58 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, at the main entrance.

* Mid Coast Hospital, 123 Medical Center Drive, Brunswick, in front of the cafe.

* Spectrum Generations centers in Damariscotta, Rockland, Skowhegan and Waterville.

* South Portland Nursing Home, 42 Anthoine St., South Portland.

* Golden Oldies Senior Center, 314 Front St., Richmond. 

* Barron Center, 1145 Brighton Ave., Portland.

* Washington House, 809 Washington St., Bath. 

* Bath Senior Center, 45 Floral St., Bath.

* Bath Housing Authority, 80 Congress Ave., Bath.

* Bangor Housing, 161 Davis Road, Bangor.