Winter is typically accompanied by the spirit of giving. With the holidays approaching, individuals tend to focus more on others during this season than any other time of the year. Though, winter is also accompanied by cold winds and snow.

Several children in the area do not have appropriate clothing to handle such conditions.

People in the community have responded to the spirit of giving by donating coats, gloves and hats through various churches in the community.

Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, any child needing winter clothing can go to the 4-H building in Washington to pick up the items for free through the Bundle Up For Winter event.

“The purpose of the event is to help local kids in need by providing them with coats, hats and gloves,” said Brittany Bean, a volunteer from Bethany Christian Church.

Bundle Up For Winter started last year when Bethany Christian Church saw a need in the community. The idea was derived from the Bethel Mall event that provides school-aged children with school supplies and some clothing items.

Wanting to ensure children had warm clothes for winter, the church held the first Bundle Up For Winter event where 75 young people received coats, hats and gloves.

This year it was clear the event was going to grow, so nine churches in the area were asked to host coat drives. More churches are encouraged to participate in the years to come.

“We are hoping that no child goes to school cold,” Bean said.

Anyone is welcome to donate new or gently-used items to be given away at Bundle Up For Winter. To donate, contact Bethany Christian Church at 486--3146, or drop items off at the 4-H building Friday after 4 p.m.

To participate in the event, children must come to the 4-H building Saturday where they will be taken through the building by a Bundle Up For Winter volunteer to select a coat, hat and gloves. Adults are welcomed to attend but will be asked to remain in the designated waiting area inside the building.

“God has blessed us with so much. We want to help give back and bless others,” Bean said.