Warm Up Marshall County prepares those in need with warm coats

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Warm Up Marshall County held their 28th annual celebration of providing coats to children and people in need.

The program has distributed nearly 28,000 coats over the years with support from local sponsors, community donations, and Once Upon a Child, a partner since 2020.

"To raise funds to purchase coats like this at Once Upon a Child, and with the community donating coats as well, it's turned into a quite an operation, and it's all due to the community down in Marshall County and surrounding counties," said Steve Keiser, a retired Oliver Ford.

They're next coat distribution will be held on Nov. 14 at 1220 W Madison St in Plymouth from noon to 2 p.m.

Keiser also said people should arrive early for the event in Plymouth, "I encourage people to come out early because coats go fast, and it's going to be cold, snowy, rainy. It's going to be a terrible weekend, but it's winter in Indiana, so I encourage them to come out soon."

Keiser said he's retired now but plans to keep the event going and make sure it keeps evolving, "Missy Sanders, she's going to kind of take over the reins, but I'm also going to be involved because this is kind of my baby, and Oliver Ford and John's dad Jack, God bless his soul, made this all happen, and here we are 28 years later, and still making it go."